In a recent article (here), Bill Simmons said thusly:

Detroit deals Tayshaun Prince (expires 2015) and the no. 9 pick to Sacramento for the no. 5 pick and Salmons's contract (expires 2015). Sacramento stays in the top nine and adds an unselfish veteran swingman who won't really help them because it's not like they can compete for a title; Detroit sneaks into the top five and rolls the dice with a Drummond/Monroe tandem.

At first glance, the trade seems like a no-brainer. Salmons does make $8.5 million to Prince's $6.3, but with the swap of Gordon for Maggette, Salmons has value due to his ability to play the back-up SG. What's more, switching Prince for Salmons would allow the Pistons to start Jerebko at the 3 with Maggette backing him up -- something they can't do with Prince still in town.

The best part of the trade, however, is the remote possibility that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist falls to no. 5. DraftExpress still has Cleveland taking MKG at no. 4, but there are rumors that Cleveland may opt for Harrison Barnes over the guy who went to high school with Kyrie Irving (MKG).

Even if Cleveland picks MKG, there still would be the possibility of getting extra trade value out of no. 5. A rumor that's been going around for a while is Tyreke Evans and no. 5 for Kyle Lowry and nos. 14 and 16, and the Pistons could simply substitute Rodney Stuckey for Evans. Pistons fans have been clamoring for Detroit to flip no. 9 for nos. 14 and 16, and if they do these two trades, Detroit could effectively trade Stuckey, Prince, and no. 9 for Lowry, Salmons, and nos. 12 and 18 (it would have to be 12 and 18 instead of 14 and 16 since Houston swapped picks with Milwaukee for Samuel Dalembert).

This is likely definitely putting too much thought into something Bill Simmons said, but it's always fun to dream. For what it's worth, on a trade of Prince for Salmons straight-up, the ESPN.com Trade Machine says the Pistons would get -5 wins while the Kings would get +4 wins, so this might be possible. Also, Joe D gets to send Prince home to California, so that may allow him to overlook his immense love for Prince (a love that gives out four year, $27 million contracts inexplicably).

In all likelihood, this trade would simply be swapping two similar players on two similar contracts, and ending up with the same player in the draft (Drummond -- DraftExpress currently has the Pistons nabbing Drummond at no. 9), but there seems to be no negatives for the Pistons, and if Simmons thinks it's a good idea, Sacramento GM Geoff Petrie might think so too.