The Detroit Pistons’ freefall continued with an ugly loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night (Dec. 12). The 19-point drubbing at the hands of the Western Conference upstart marked the seventh straight loss for Pistons (14-13), who are now barely clinging to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference standings after an impressive start.

The Pistons’ sudden fall from grace wasn’t the fault of one man. After sporting one of the best defenses in the NBA through the first month and a half of the season, Detroit’s defensive identity slowly collapsed over that seven-game stretch, allowing opponents to reach the 100-point mark five times.

Andre Drummond hit another shooting slump as he averages just 12.1 points on 48 percent from the field and 57 percent from the free-throw line in December. Avery Bradley also slowed down this month after a torrid start in his Pistons career. He’s shooting 33 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc with at least two turnovers per game.

Jackson trade needs to be done

But the most disappointing of all has been the play of Reggie Jackson. He was supposed to be the Pistons’ primary orchestrator this season, yet he’s averaging just 5.2 assists per game with 2.0 turnovers per game. His late-game decision-making is still flawed and it continues to cost the Pistons tight ballgames.

Jackson's forced shot in the waning seconds of the Pistons’ 102-98 loss to the NBA champ Golden State Warriors is still haunting Pistons fans in their sleep.

Worse, he followed it up with a nightmarish 0-of-9 shooting against the Boston Celtics and 4-of-10 clip against the Nuggets. This cycle of incompetence at the starting point guard spot has to stop. Detroit doesn’t lack the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with the NBA’s elites. They just need a seasoned floor leader to get their offense going.

Reggie Jackson for George Hill trade

The Sacramento Kings’ George Hill might be the point guard that rightly fits with the Pistons’ system. During his one-year stay in Utah, the vet proved that he could maximize the potential of young talent around him and make the right plays in clutch situations. His breakout year with the Jazz enabled him to sign a big money contract (three-year, $57 million) with the Kings, but Hill is clearly not in the franchise’s long-term plan.

It’s rookie point guard De’ Aaron Fox. His uncomfortable situation in Sacramento, along with the teams' decision to start tanking reportedly has Hill frustrated.

Many NBA insiders believe the Kings may entertain trade offers for Hill at the right price. Sacramento doesn’t have a first-round pick next season, and they seem very much invested in their youth movement. Hill and Jackson have two years remaining on their respective deals after this season. A straight-up swap would be possible, though the Kings could ask for a trade sweetener in the form of a heavily protected first-round or second-round pick to complete a deal.

At 27, Jackson still fits within the Kings’ youth movement. He can be the Kings’ starting point guard over the next two seasons, as Fox learns his way around.

Perhaps, playing with less pressure could benefit Jackson’s development as a player. As for the Pistons, they get a point guard who thrives under pressure. He’s not as explosive as Jackson offensively, but Hill provides stability and someone to lean on in pressure-packed moments, just like what the doctor orders in Detroit.
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