Pistons: 3 players most likely to be moved by the NBA trade deadline
By Duncan Smith
Pistons trade candidates: 2. Cory Joseph
Cory Joseph was a trade deadline acquisition from the Sacramento Kings. The Pistons sent Delon Wright to Sacramento in exchange for Joseph and two second-round picks, and Joseph was fantastic when he arrived in Detroit.
As the Pistons look to acquire Canadians and head coach Dwane Casey’s former Toronto Raptors, Joseph was an excellent addition from day one with the Pistons. In his 19 games in Detroit, he averaged 12.0 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals, all of which would have been career highs over the course of a full season.
He shot the ball better than his career averages as well, with shooting splits of 51-37-88, and he earned a two-year, $10 million contract in the offseason as a result.
That’s a team-friendly deal that could easily be involved in any deal, either as a complement for a larger package or as a stand-alone component in a trade. Joseph provides a solid veteran presence off the bench, and he may have value in the trade market as a result.
The Pistons have a backcourt full of youngsters and by the time the deadline rolls around, they may be ready to work without Joseph. Like with Jackson, a deal involving Joseph as a focal point could be a win for all parties.