The Detroit Pistons are reportedly trying to find out how much they can get in return if they trade star players, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson. NBA writer Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders reported the Pistons are currently gauging the trade market for these players.
Pistons gauge market for stars
This is not the first time the Pistons tried to determine the trade market value of Drummond and Jackson, as they also made an inquiry about it last February. Head coach and general manager Stan Van Gundy expressed his frustration for the disappointing outputs his key players had last season.
Both Drummond and Jackson had statistical drop-off during the 2016/17 season.
After jacking up his scoring average to 16.2 points per game in 2015/16 season, Drummond’s offensive game regressed as he averaged 13.6 ppg last season. He grabbed 13.8 rebounds per game and shot 53 percent from the field, but is still a liability from the foul line at 38 percent FT shooting.
Jackson, on the other hand, missed the first 21 games of the 2016/17 season with knee tendinitis and never looked like the player who dropped 18 points per game a season ago. Jackson wrapped up the season, averaging 14.5 points on 41 percent FG shooting along with 5.2 assists per game.
Van Gundy stressed during the exit interviews that breaking up the team’s core is far from his mind, though he might be interested in moving either of his top-2 trade assets for a competitive trade package.
Remember, this is the same person who decided to release Josh Smith instead of trading him, and swung a deal for Jackson and Tobias Harris in the middle of the season. Van Gundy never shies from controversial moves as long as it benefits his team long-term.
Potential destinations for Drummond, Jackson
According to Dana Gauruder of Hoops Rumors, dealing both Drummond and Jackson now would be unwise as they are not hot commodities on the trade market.
Allowing them to bounce back from their listless season is the best options right now for the Pistons unless another team takes a chance on either of them.
Drummond will command the most returns for the Pistons since he’s still 23-years old and already a perennial top rebounder in the league. The Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets could be interested in Drummond, but they don’t have much draft pick to throw in.
As for Jackson, the Phoenix Suns could provide him a new environment after an up-and-down trend in Detroit. Eric Bledsoe appears to be the odd man out in the valley of the Suns, now that Phoenix is pushing for a full-blown youth movement. Jackson could serve as a mentor for the Suns' young guns or a primary scorer off the bench.
