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NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Teams’ Needs at Trade Deadline

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) looks for an open man as he is defended by San Antonio Spurs center Aron Baynes (16) and guard Tony Parker (9) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Spurs beat the Pistons 104-87. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) looks for an open man as he is defended by San Antonio Spurs center Aron Baynes (16) and guard Tony Parker (9) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Spurs beat the Pistons 104-87. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Detroit Pistons

Previous: No. 17

Record: 21-33

Last Week: 0-1

Biggest Need: Scoring Depth

The Detroit Pistons have a massive and productive interior with center Andre Drummond and power forward Greg Monroe. Along the perimeter, D.J. Augustin has filled in very well for the injured Brandon Jennings at point guard.

What often goes unnoticed in the case of an injury is that, once a bench player replaces an injured starter, the second unit becomes weaker.

Monroe’s skilled out of the post and Augustin is a dynamic scorer, but the Pistons need a player whose primary function is to put points on the board. This would alleviate pressure from the current players and add a new element to Stan Van Gundy’s offense.

According to Ohm Youngmisuk and Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York, the Pistons have inquired about Brooklyn Nets scorer Joe Johnson.

"The Pistons have reached out to the Nets to inquire about the availability of former All-Star Joe Johnson, according to sources."

"Sources told ESPNNewYork.com that no deal is imminent but said the teams have had exploratory discussions in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline about a trade package built around injured point guard Brandon Jennings and expiring contracts in exchange for Johnson."

Johnson will make just under $24.9 million in 2015-16 before entering free agency that summer.

Whether or not Johnson is the player who Detroit trades for, the need for a roster change is clear. The Pistons are close to making the postseason, but it lacks a reliable scoring option along the wing.

It’s hard to imagine Detroit going through the trade deadline without some form of activity.

Next: Building Around a Star