NBA trade grades: Pistons trade Andre Drummond to Cavaliers

NBA trade grades: Pistons trade Andre Drummond to Cavaliers for Knight and Henson

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 27: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons hugs Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game on January 27, 2020 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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NBA trade grades: Detroit Pistons

Whether right or wrong, the Detroit Pistons have been operating under the premise that they simply needed to move on from Andre Drummond. As we see from the meager return they received, the goal was to make sure to get… something.

Brandon Knight is a former Piston who was traded for Brandon Jennings (who was then traded for Tobias Harris, who was in turn traded for Blake Griffin who is out for the season). At the age of 28, he’s played just 16 games for the Cavs this year.

Knight is averaging 15 minutes per game, shooting 32.6 percent from the floor and 29.7 percent from 3-point range. Given the injury-ravaged nature of the team, he’ll likely see some backup point guard minutes while Derrick Rose is out. He likely will not be pursued by the Pistons in free agency once his contract expires, but it’s possible he could earn a look over the next couple of months.

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John Henson has played 29 games, averaging just 14 minutes per outing. He’s 29 and is also not likely to be a major target for re-signing when the season ends although the Pistons will have his Bird rights.

The Pistons did do better than getting nothing in return for Andre Drummond, but not much. The only thing they are certain to have to show for him after this season ends is a 2023 second-round pick which will be the lesser of the Cavs and the Golden State Warriors.

It was a success but to only the most marginal degree,

Grade: C

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