NBA Trade Grades: Bulls sending Jameer Nelson to Pistons
Detroit Pistons
Jameer Nelson probably isn’t the Reggie Jackson replacement Pistons fans have been dreaming of, but the 14-year veteran can still play, and he can definitely help a playoff-hopeful team that’s in desperate need of steady play at the 1-spot.
No offense to Ish Smith and his backup Dwight Buycks, but Nelson will bring some poise and experience to the point guard position whether he’s named the starter or comes off the bench.
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In 43 games with the Pelicans this season, Nelson’s numbers have dipped to 5.1 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game, but he was also competing with Ian Clark for minutes off the bench and is still shooting a respectable 36.4 percent from 3-point range.
Minutes should be immediately available in Motown, and it was just last year that Nelson was a stabilizing force for a young Denver Nuggets team, averaging 9.2 points and 5.1 assists per game on .444/.388/.714 shooting splits.
Even better, it reunites Stan Van Gundy with one of his former point guards he can trust from their time together with the Orlando Magic. A lot has changed since then, but with the Pistons on a five-game win streak since acquiring Blake Griffin, this move only further stabilizes the rotation and the playoff push.
Stan Van Gundy LOVES point guards he knows well. He stuck with Jameer Nelson for a long time in Orlando. He brought in Rafer Alston (who played for him in Miami). He was hesitant to play Ish Smith at first in Orlando, but then Ish earned his trust so SVG brought Ish to Detroit.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 8, 2018
Giving Chicago the right to swap picks in 2022 is well worth that security in the backcourt, as is giving up Reed, who was just suspended six games. He would’ve been an upgrade on Eric Moreland, especially with Boban Marjanovic being shipped off in the Griffin trade, but the need at point guard was more dire.
Nelson doesn’t move the needle incredibly far for the Pistons, who are still fighting just to make the final eight playoff teams, but he certainly doesn’t hurt.
Next: 2017-18 Week 17 NBA Power Rankings
Grade: A-