Pistons predicted to trade for $179M ex-Nuggets sharpshooting NBA champion to address weakness
· Yahoo Sports
Pistons predicted to trade for $179M ex-Nuggets sharpshooting NBA champion to address weakness originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Pistons were the best team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season last year, but they quickly realized they were still an inexperienced group when it came to the playoffs. This season, they are hungry to get back and prove they can take the next step.
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However, the organization explored several different ways to bring star players to the Motor City. They were prepared to offer Austin Reaves a contract and also made calls about Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.
“The Pistons inquired about trading for Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant this offseason, according to league sources, and were positioned to offer Austin Reaves a big free agent contract if the Los Angeles Lakers opened the door. None of that materialized," ESPN's Vincent Goodwill wrote.
One of the biggest weaknesses from last season that could continue to hold Detroit back is its ability to shoot from beyond the three-point line.
“Most notably, the Pistons are even snagging wins when they shoot poorly from beyond the arc. In an era of basketball where consistency from three-point range is preached as paramount, the Detroit Pistons are winning in their own way. Their tough defense and efficiency inside the paint has defined their identity this season," SI's Aidan Chacon wrote.
Adding a shooter will undoubtedly be one of the Pistons' priorities ahead of the trade deadline. CBS Sports' Sam Quinn believes they should pursue a trade for NBA champion Michael Porter Jr.
“Get ready to hear a lot about the Detroit Pistons today, folks. A team that needs offense and controls all of its own picks is always going to feature prominently in deadline speculation, and Porter is the first of many candidates who will come up for them here,” Quinn wrote.
Porter would be a great addition because he offers exactly what the team needs as a shooter while also bringing NBA Finals experience. He could become an important presence in Detroit's locker room as well.
Porter is currently playing on a $179 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets and is coming off a strong campaign last season. If the Pistons want to add a proven scorer, Porter would certainly be a good option.
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