Detroit Pistons: Detroit Actively Shopping Star Andre Drummond

Well, that escalated quickly.  Less than 24-hours after Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores addressed the media last night in Los Angeles about accepting a rebuild; the trade rumors are in full force.

First on the list, Andre Drummond.  Tom Gores, who resides in Los Angeles but owns the Detroit Pistons, was in attendance last night to take in his team recording yet another loss.  Detroit currently sits 12-23 on the season, holding down the 11th seed in the East.

I don’t dislike Tom Gores, but I feel the Pistons are just a hobby amongst all of the other businesses he owns.  Sure he wants to win, and I commend him for willingly spending money, but in today’s NBA, proximity to a beach, large city, or a brand is much more important to players than anything else.  Also, everyone wants to play with their friends.  Long story short; when it comes down to L.A, Miami, or Detroit, ten times out of ten, Detroit isn’t the choice.

The only way to win for teams like Detroit is to take the Raptors’ approach.  The Detroit Pistons need to rebuild, collect as many draft assets as humanly possible, draft good players and trade for a superstar. In all this, you will need to understand that said star will eventually search for greener pastures, but it’s all worth it for a chance to win.

Detroit has had playoff teams in the past, but they haven’t had a respectful squad in quite some time.  Tom Gores’ approach when landing star Blake Griffin was exciting, yet foolish.  Sure Griffin produced a career year, but he wasn’t surrounded with outside shooting weapons.  It’s a shooters league, and Detroit’s second-best option is down low to Andre for two.

With the Pistons openly willing to rebuild and Andre Drummond expecting to opt-out at the conclusion of the season to either command a max deal or walk for nothing, it leaves the Pistons with no choice but to move the center.

Yes, the worst team in the league.  The Hawks must feel they will have a chance to keep Andre alongside star Trae Young.  Drummond hasn’t played beside a player like Young.  Imagine the pick and roll game they will produce.

The maximum return one could expect would be Chandler Parsons (to make money work) and the New Jersey Nets first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

Sure, we’d love De’Andre Hunter and the lottery pick.  That isn’t going to happen.  How about John Collins or Cam Reddish and a second?  No chance.

The other teams that are expected to be interested are the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks.