Detroit Pistons Trade Rumors: A Michigan Return for Tim Hardaway Jr.?
The Detroit Pistons are the first team to be mentioned in draft day trade rumors as they’ve been rumored to be interested in acquiring New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., according to Ian Begley of ESPN.
"If you’re looking for any clues regarding potential draft-night trades, here’s one: the Detroit Pistons are said to have interest in trading for Tim Hardaway Jr. and have tried to engage the Knicks on a deal, per league sources."
However, Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press has reported that there’s no backbone to this deal at all.
"Nothing to this at all," says person with firsthand knowledge of #Pistons' thought process on Hardaway-Jennings stuff.
— VinceEllis (@AlabamaScribe56) June 22, 2015
Also in Begley’s article, it’s possible that the Pistons would try to swap Brandon Jennings for Hardaway Jr. If so, the Knicks would have to include a trade exception to equal the difference between the contracts of Jennings and Hardaway Jr. in order for the trade to work.
It’s still unknown if the Knicks express the same interest.
More from Detroit Pistons
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- Could the Pistons Have the Longest Losing Streak in NBA History?
- What Ausar Thompson and Bill Walton Already Have in Common
- WATCH: Awesome Alley-Oop From Pistons’ Rookies Showcases Exciting Future
- 3 Michigan Sportsbook Promos You Can’t Afford to Miss (Unlock Over $2,400!)
If this deal were to happen, the Pistons would be able to unload Jennings contract which has $8.3 million left on it. This would also give more playing time and room for Reggie Jackson who’s a restricted free agent this summer.
Letting go of Jennings would also mean the Pistons wouldn’t have to worry if he’s able to return to form from his ruptured left Achilles tendon that he suffered back on Jan. 24 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Targeting the former Michigan star is somewhat shocking as the Pistons aren’t in need of a shooting guard as they already have good depth with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks. However, Hardaway Jr. did play some small forward in his time with the Knicks, which could mean the Pistons may be looking into acquiring him as a backup plan if free agency doesn’t go the Pistons way.
What do you think of this possible deal? Could the Pistons use Tim Hardaway Jr.? Should the Pistons look elsewhere to trade Brandon Jennings? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
Next: Pistons Sitting Prettier in 2015 NBA Draft Than It Might Look