Detroit Pistons: 3 reasons to make a trade approaching the deadline

2. The Pistons need a shooter

Two flaws stand out most for the 2018-19 Pistons: Perimeter defense and perimeter shooting.

Given the style of play that first-year head coach Dwane Casey is trying to implement, shooting is the more urgent area of need. Detroit ranks seventh in the league in 3-point attempts, but is 29th in 3-point accuracy, hitting just 33.0 percent of its tries.

Plus, there are probably more shooters available on the trade market than defensive stoppers, so the team should have better odds of acquiring someone who can help the offense more than the defense.

The Pistons have a few players who are known as shooters: Reggie Bullock, Luke Kennard, Langston Galloway and Jose Calderon have each had past seasons in which they posted impressive 3-point shooting percentages. Bullock finished second in the NBA last season by making 44.5 percent beyond the arc, and Calderon led the league back in 2012-13 when he made 46.1 percent of his 3-pointers. Last season, Calderon shot 46.4 percent from deep.

Detroit’s star power forward Blake Griffin has also developed his 3-point shot and is an effective 36 percent shooter this season. For the most part, however, Detroit’s designated shooters either aren’t producing like they have in the past, or they aren’t getting enough playing time to make much of an impact.

Assuming this team won’t just suddenly get better over the second half of the season and start making shots it currently misses, the Pistons should try to trade for a shooter or two.

It doesn’t have to be an All-Star, or even a starter. Someone who can provide quality minutes and consistent shooting, even if it’s coming off the bench, would help Detroit tremendously.

Some of the names to consider as the trade deadline approaches, that are rumored to be available: Troy Daniels, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tim Hardaway Jr., Justin Holiday, Kent Bazemore, Courtney Lee, Terry Rozier, J.R. Smith and Ryan Anderson.