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Brandon Jennings Trade Rumors: 5 Deals That Help Pistons

By Aaron Ferguson

Jan 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) gestures after a basket during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Detroit Pistons won 97-81. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) gestures after a basket during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Detroit Pistons won 97-81. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) attempts a shot over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) attempts a shot over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

This trade improves the Pistons by acquiring team needs for two positions, as opposed to one. While Martin and Adreian Payne aren’t expiring contracts (Martin has a player option for the 2016-17 season), both players can contribute for the Pistons beyond this season.

Martin is a true shooting guard, and that is something the bench lacks. He’s an offensive player with a 23.6 usage rate. He will help the Pistons control the ball (8.1 turnover rate) and can shoot the ball (51.3 true shooting percentage), which is something the bench lacks. Martin is averaging 11.3 points in 22.8 minutes per game in 34 contests this season.

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    • Payne is a player that can step in after this season, when Anthony Tolliver‘s contract has expired. Payne is a stretch-4 that is defensively sound. He has 0.3 defensive win shares, compared to -0.3 offensive win shares. Like Tolliver, he can step in and be a factor on the defensive end.

    Payne needs to work on his offensive game. He does knock down three-pointers at a 38.1 percent clip. He fits Van Gundy’s style of play as a power forward that can hit the three, and he’s better than everyone except for Ersan Ilyasova from three-point range.

    This trade probably won’t happen because of the Timberwolves’ slew of point guards in Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine and Tyus Jones, but it would certainly help the Pistons win now. Martin’s PER is 12.3 and Payne’s is 7.4, while Jennings has a 12.6 PER.

    According to ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine, the deal is not only valid but it also gives the Pistons two more projected wins from where they are at now. Though it hinders any financial flexibility for the 2016 offseason, it fills an immediate need (Martin) and a need for a backup power forward for next season.

    Next: Trade No. 2

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