After not even qualifying to play in “The Bubble”, the Pistons now hope to win the lottery and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
In a recent piece published by Bleacher Report, it is suggested that the Pistons trade the No. 1 pick to the New York Knicks for their first-round pick, G Frank Ntilikina, PF Julius Randle, and G Elfrid Payton.
The Trade: 2020 No. 1 overall pick, PF Blake Griffin to New York Knicks for 2020 first-round pick, G Frank Ntilikina, PF Julius Randle and G Elfrid Payton
With Detroit trying to rebuild its roster and the Knicks looking for star power, both teams would get what they desire with a pick-and-player swap here.
Griffin’s remaining two-year, $75.6 million deal no longer fits a young Detroit team, especially if his injuries continue to pile up. A healthy Griffin would give the Knicks an All-Star-caliber power forward, and his contract is worth taking on if New York could also move up to the No. 1 spot.
The Pistons need a point guard, and moving down slightly in the draft should still net them either Killian Hayes, Tyrese Haliburton, Cole Anthony or even LaMelo Ball if he goes on a mini-slide. Getting off Griffin’s contract would be a huge win, and Randle, Ntilikina and Payton are all between 22 and 26 years old, offering some upside for a rebuild.
Getting the first overall pick would be great for Detroit, but parlaying it into another top pick while wiping Griffin’s contract from the books would be even better.
Nation, if you were the Pistons, would you make this deal or would you hold on to the No. 1 pick?
