Detroit Sports: A 2017 Wishlist Item for Every Team

Detroit Pistons

Zac Snyder: DeMarcus Cousins

Stan Van Gundy has done an admirable job reviving the Detroit Pistons from the lows they experienced at the end of the Joe Dumars era. There is finally a sense of vision and a feeling that the organization is actually building towards something. But getting a team from the lottery to the playoff is the easy part. Turning the Pistons into a championship contender will be more difficult.

There is no denying that Van Gundy has been able to significantly upgrade the team’s talent at all levels of the roster in the last few years, but there is a sense that some frustration is setting in as the team hasn’t taken the jump many expected this season. After treading water while Reggie Jackson was out with injury to start the season, the Pistons have been out of sorts following his return and Van Gundy is now tinkering with the starting lineup.

It’s easy to get the feeling there will need to be a roster shakeup of some sort before the Pistons go from playoff qualifier to championship contender. Perhaps the biggest shakeup of all could come with a push to trade for Sacramento Kings’ center DeMarcus Cousins.

The Pistons had no hesitation in giving Andre Drummond a max contract last offseason but he isn’t without limitations. Cousins would give the Pistons a broader and more polished offensive game from their center without having to sit him on the bench for fear of an intentional foul putting him on the free throw line. Cousin’s doesn’t rebound at Drummond’s rate but still averages more than ten rebounds a night and blocks more shots.

Would it be a bold move? Of course, and Cousins isn’t without his faults. There is risk, but the rewards could be far greater and adding Cousins would give the Pistons some star power they currently lack.