The Detroit Pistons have exceeded all expectations this season. They're currently leading the Eastern Conference; however, there is constant trade speculation surrounding the Pistons as they look to further cement themselves as championship threats. The lack of shooting and forward depth are the main weaknesses, and the latest rumored trade target could help fill both of those needs.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Thursday that the Pistons are among the teams that could be interested in Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets. Fischer said that the Pistons haven't engaged in negotiations with the Nets so far, but Brooklyn is listening to offers and Detroit's fit is too obvious for president and de facto general manager Trajan Langdon to ignore, adding, "It’s not that difficult to envision the Pistons packaging a few veteran salaries, plus one first-round pick, to get the Nets’ attention."
Michael Porter Jr. Could Be the Ideal Shooter Pistons Need
Why the Pistons would be interested in MPJ is clear. He is 27 years old, fits the Pistons' timeline, and is an elite shooter. He can be the secondary perimeter scorer next to Cade Cunningham and be the long-term starting power forward after Tobias Harris.
At the same time, there are some concerns about Porter. He makes $38.3 million this season, per Spotrac, and has dealt with serious injuries earlier in his career. His defensive intensity and overall effort have waxed and waned throughout his career and have made a few too many headlines with his remarks off the court, making him a polarizing player, despite being an indisputable talent.
While all those concerns remain, the Pistons would be wise to seriously consider trading for MPJ. They should obviously swing big and go after the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Trey Murphy, and Jaren Jackson Jr. first, but if none of those are available for a reasonable price, Porter would be a great backup option.
In 26 starts with the Nets this season, the ex-NBA Champion is averaging a career-high 25.8 points while shooting 49.6% from the floor and 41.0% from deep on 33 minutes per night. His 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game are also personal bests for Porter, further illustrating what he could add to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff's lineup.
The Pistons have a serious chance of making a deep postseason run and representing the East in the NBA Finals. They have to keep that in mind and be aggressive at the deadline.
The spacing and shot-making Porter provides would take the Pistons' offense to another level. Thanks to his size and rebounding, he wouldn't be a downgrade over Harris defensively, either, helping the Pistons maintain their elite defensive level. This could be enough to push Detroit from a tough-out to an Eastern Conference favorite.