The Detroit Pistons shouldn’t be in on Victor Oladipo despite rumors
By Bob Heyrman
Sunday NBA trade rumors emerged linking the Detroit Pistons to the Houston Rockets regarding veteran shooting guard Victor Oladipo.
It would be shocking to see the Detroit Pistons add rather than subtract before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline. Still, the notion is out there suggesting general manager Troy Weaver has aspirations of possibly acquiring Victor Oladipo.
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst recently noted on SportsCenter that the asking price for Oladipo is not very high, although they hope to receive a first-round choice in return for his services.
Windhorst also mentioned the Pistons and the New York Knicks as possible destinations, directly stating he understands Detroit would be a surprise target, understanding they are currently just 12-29 on the season but seek a ‘go-to’ ball-handler in the backcourt.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
The 28-year old is an exceptional talent, but trading for a pending free agent is less than desirable before the trade deadline.
The Detroit Pistons will not trade a lottery pick for Victor Oladipo.
Leading up to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, Detroit Pistons GM Weaver is expected to be busy selling off veteran players or pending free agents rather than becoming a buyer. The Pistons have a couple of players that can fill-out a playoff roster elsewhere and potentially start stacking additional future assets.
After back-to-back injury-riddled seasons, Oladipo bounced back in 2020-21, averaging 20.8 points, five boards, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Oladipo landed in Houston earlier this season as a part of the three-team blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. Houston is in the midst of an extensive 20 game losing streak and are clearly hoping to acquire future assets for a pending free agent.
I can’t stress this enough; there is absolutely no chance Weaver trades a lottery pick to Houston for a pending free agent.
The Detroit Pistons recently added a hyper-athletic guard in Hamidou Diallo, so why move future assets for Oladipo?
We’ve yet to see Diallo dawn a Pistons’ jersey, and at just 22-years old, he has the potential to excel with Detroit. Diallo has averaged 11.9 points and 5.2 boards per game this season with Oklahoma City Thunder before landing in Detroit.
The only way an Oladipo trade should have ANY consideration is if he agrees to a contract extension with the Detroit Pistons prior to a trade. It’s a trade that Detroit could potentially offer a future first-round pick and possibly a couple of younger players such as Josh Jackson and Saben Lee. If Lee is in any part of a trade that suggests Detroit believes Frank Jackson will be able to continue building on his hot streak.
Will that be enough to land Oladipo?
Unlikely, but if Houston hasn’t moved the athletic guard leading up to Thursday, they may become a bit desperate to add something rather than lose him on the open market for nothing.
The Pistons have likely already made their biggest roster moves by sending Derrick Rose to the Knicks in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr, plus buying out star forward Blake Griffin.
Next. Players to trade or retain at the NBA deadline. dark
Weaver should be working the phones, hoping to move Wayne Ellington, Delon Wright, and possibly Josh Jackson.