2021 NBA Trade Deadline: 5 shooters teams should target
2. Wayne Ellington
The Detroit Pistons have already traded Derrick Rose and their desire to move on from Blake Griffin is very public. Their best trade piece for the next month, however, might be Wayne Ellington.
Ellington’s ability to pop an open three at any moment is a skill any team would be looking for. He’s currently hitting 40.4 percent of his threes, his best mark since the 2013-14 campaign.
In general, Ellington is scoring more than he usually does, averaging 9.8 points per game. His two-point shooting percentage is near a career-high level and if his usually strong free throw shooting catches up (currently a career-low 68.2 percent), he can contribute shooting at all levels of the game.
Importantly, Ellington is on an expiring contract, one that won’t cost any team too much to pay. That means he should be easy to move and irresponsible not to move for Troy Weaver and the Pistons front office.
It’ll probably be easier to find a team that isn’t interested in Ellington than to find a team that wants him. He should have a hot market for the Pistons to take advantage of this month.
The Lakers are a very obvious target for Ellington. A reunion with the Miami Heat could also be in order. Other names to keep an eye on include the LA Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets.