Detroit Pistons: Expectations for 2019 NBA Trade Deadline

The Detroit Pistons are prepping for the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline with some decisions to make. Those decisions should all be looking towards the future.

The Detroit Pistons are approaching the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline and they have a lot of decisions that need to be made quickly. They could choose to be buyers in an effort to make the most of Blake Griffin’s amazing season, or they could choose to be sellers to set themselves up for the offseason and the future. When they make their decision, fans should hope they look towards the future more than the present.

There are only a handful of teams that are true contenders for the title this year, and the Pistons are not one of them. However, after seeing how well Griffin is playing this year, they can see what the team can do by building around him during the offseason. Players like Reggie Bullock and Henry Ellenson, who can give the team additional cap space to add some depth, could very likely be on the move for two different reasons.

Bullock fits the 3-and-D mold that is so popular in the modern NBA, and it becomes even more vital in the playoffs when position-less basketball becomes more prevalent. If the team is looking to add a young talent or future asset, he is their best bet to do so. Ellenson can free up nearly $2 million in cap space if the team were able to trade him away. After declining his team option for next year, he comes off the books this offseason and won’t affect another team’s future spending.

Fans are hoping to see Reggie Jackson and the remainder of his contract on the move at the deadline, but the Pistons would likely have to give up a future asset to make that move happen, which is just not something they can afford to do after they gave up a first round pick and more last year to land Griffin. Moving Jackson this summer is something that may happen, but it’s just not very feasible in the immediate future.

The NBA trade deadline has remained one of the more active trade deadlines in sports, due to nearly all teams having some reason to get a deal done. For the Pistons, their focus should be on the future and clearing up some cap space if they can. While the second goal will be a little more difficult to accomplish, it’s still possible for the Motor City. The bigger deals will take place elsewhere in the NBA, but the Pistons will likely make a deal or two.

Jackson will still be in Detroit for a little while longer and possibly for the remainder of his deal. Seeing Bullock in Motown after the dust has settled would be very surprising because of the value he presents with playing a key position at a dirt-cheap discount. As previously stated, he is the team’s best opportunity to add something to their young nucleus and expedite their rebuild. If they are able to accomplish a couple of these small moves, they can be considered winners of the deadline.