FanPost

Piston Fans Are Going To Hate Me for This: Why Dealing for Carmelo Anthony Would Make Detroit an Instant Contender, and SVG the First to Win Both NBA Coach and Exec of the Year-in the Same Season

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Editor's note: Trade season is upon us, and while Detroit might not make any moves, that shouldn't stop Pistons fans from dreaming big. DBB reader robbindehood has a Carmelo Anthony trade that he says makes the Pistons contenders. Is he right? Is he crazy? Do you have a better, crazier trade in mind? Write up a FanPost, dream big, and start a conversation.

"You're always on the lookout for a guy that you think either now or for the future appreciably changes your talent,"
"We're in a situation where it would have to be a pretty clear step up in terms of talent for us to make a move,"-
Stan Van Gundy

Is the title too long?

Stan van Gundy was a machete-wielding maniac at the deadline, last season. He had to be. Fresh off the public beheading of Josh Smith and his Boss Nacho contract (big), his "Build a F***** Wall" Pistons (watch out for those mics, Stan!) were soaring from the ashes of a 5-23 start that probably still triggers nightmares.

For the Pistons, 2014-2015 was comparable to 80s slasher flick, Friday the 13th.

An unknown ballstopper was killing the Pistons each night like horny camp counselors with a machete. Van Gundy was Adrienne King's Alice character. He was the one that realized that it was Smith that was to blame for the Pistons demise, €”and he chopped the head off the snake.

Yes, I did just liken J-Smoove to Mrs. Vorhees from Friday the 13th.

Picture the team floating in the canoe on Camp Crystal Lake at the end of the original film. Here is a link for those that are unfamiliar [Ed. note: spoiler alert, obviously]:

They were safe -- the threat had been eliminated. Smith was gone and Brandon Jennings was on fire with his new role as main facilitator of the Detroit offense. The forecast was sunny. They had survived Stan's nightmare and were headed to the promised land -- the playoffs.

Then, BAM! Jason pops out of the murky depths of Camp Crystal Lake, snatches Brandon Jennings up out of the boat, and pulls the Pistons back down to the bottom of the cold lake of NBA mediocrity.

Yeah, I acknowledge that's a pretty dramatic way of explaining an injury, but it was that bad. Here is the actual injury:

Stan didn't waste time nor resource by making the Reggie Jackson deal happen. He gambled on the future, and so far that aggressiveness has paid off to an extent that far exceeds expectation for the squad.

Stan already has the Pistons playing great basketball. They are young, and have most of the pieces needed to win an NBA title in the next 3-5 seasons, on the roster. Also, the starting five has only played a half season together. They will get better with seasoning. They can win a ring in time.

...but what if the Pistons could accelerate that process, immediately?

I hereby present to you:

THE DEAL

The Detroit Pistons receive- F Carmelo Anthony (4 years/ $22.9 mil) from New York; G Archie Goodwin (2 years/$1.2 mil) from the Phoenix Suns

The New York Knicks receive- G Brandon Jennings (1 years/$8 mil), F Marcus Markieff Morris (4 years/$8 mil), and G/F Jodie Meeks (2 years/$6.3 mil), and the Pistons 2016 First-Round Pick, [Ed note: Marcus Morris (4 years/$5 million) was missing from original deal outline, but explanation below indicates he's headed to Knicks]

The Phoenix Suns receive- G/F Stanley Johnson(4yr/$2.8 mil) from Detroit and the Pistons 2017 2018 First-round pick [Ed note: Trading consecutive first-round picks is illegal so it was changed to a 2018 pick]; and the right to switch first-round picks with the Knicks(their pick) in 2017

I know, €”I know, Melo sucks. You don't have to tell me that Johnson will be a superstar, either. I am well aware of the upside that the Stanimal possesses. Yes, the Pistons would be giving up their "future," €”so to speak, by giving away consecutive first round picks in the next two NBA drafts. But you always have to crack some eggs to make an omlette, and Stan seems to know how to make great omelettes.

The omellete that is the Detroit Pistons has shown a lack in scoring punch when they absolutely need it. The Pistons have won some huge games this season but have also been lacking offensively against some inferior teams. They just don't seem to have that guy they can depend on with their lives at stake. They need a true veteran superstar that can cater to the Jackson to Drummond pick-and-roll combo's strengths, while also being able to carry the team when either hits a wall.

By making this deal to acquire Carmelo Anthony, the Pistons address this issue, and fill the apparent scoring void- BIG TIME.

The Stanimal is UNLEASHED!

Stanley has looked amazing in Detroit so far. He has proven Van Gundy and Jeff Bower to be effective at drafting, with an eye for knowing when to reach for a prospect.

However, Stanley may never meet his maximum potential in Detroit coming off the bench. Even if he starts, he plays third fiddle to Jackson and Drummond. In Phoenix, it is a different story.

Johnson immediately starts for the Suns at small forward, and likely becomes the Suns top gun by next season. Johnson has the chance to ride the fact that he's already a favorite in Phoenix -- having played his only season of college ball at Arizona. He's from Southern California, so regionally it also makes sense and a homecoming of sorts.

He's already defensively polished, and somebody has to score the rock -- other than Brandon Knight. They could even start a former Pistons club! A move to Phoenix could mean all-star appearances for Johnson by as early as next season. He looks like a bigger Dwyane Wade with more shooting range so far. Planting Stanley in the desert is the best possible place for him to bloom as a pro given their situation.

Putting out the Dumpster Fire in Phoenix

Poor Jeff Hornacek, he's probably going to lose his job because of Ryan McDonough. Ryan McDonough should lose his job because of Ryan McDonough.

Phoenix is a wheeled-steel box of smoldering garbage, because of its general manager. First, McDonough breaks a sweetheart deal with the Morris Twins -- I'm going to start using the phrase as a title, at this point -- by dumping Marcus's relatively cheap deal, he then keeps a malcontent Kieff in a locker room full of young talent and no leader.

This is a disaster for a club with Phoenix's talent. The only way that McDonough avoids having as many NBA GM job titles as I is by making this trade.

This is a no-brainer for Phoenix. They give up a tumor to their team chemistry. They get Stanley Johnson, the best young prospect of this trade and marketable hometown hero. But most of all....

THEY RID THEMSELVES OF KIEFF!!

The stains of a failed attempt at LaMarcus Aldridge disappear. Gone is the headache that has become the Markieff Morris standoff. No more "accidentally" weaponized towels. The media forgets the ongoing hostage crisis in Phoenix (good analogy, just not sure who the hostage is and who's the captor).

Ryan McDonough can build around Stanley Johnson. Brandon Knight and Devin Booker's shooting range complement Stanley's game, and Johnson also complements Chandler with his lockdown perimeter defensive skill to help limit the number of attacks on the basket, and keeping Chandler out of foul trouble. You see similar in Memphis with Tony Allen and Marc Gasol.

Not only do they acquire The Pistons 2017 first-round pick and the right to flip first-round picks with the Knicks in 2017, €”the Suns also have a potential trade package centered around either Knight or Bledoe(they may like Bledsoe more than Knight, who knows with Phoenix?) and any number of pieces to choose from including TJ Warren, PJ Tucker, Alex Len, Mirza Teletovic, and Jon Leuer.

They can seemingly hop into the DeMarcus Cousins Sweepstakes if there is a blowup with George Karl. Reuniting Bledsoe with Cousins, and teaming them with Johnson could be an NBA Executive of the Year kind of deal for a young general manager who could be selling cars by next summer.

Ryan McDonough just might save his job by helping to facilitate my fantasy ... I mean, trade.

They Don't Call Him Swag for Nothing

Allow me to get this out of the way -- I hated the Brandon Knight/Khris Middleton/ Slava Kravtsov- for Brandon Jennings deal. I even dubbed him "Chuck Jennings" within his first month of being in a ‘Stons uniform.

I sing a much different tune when it comes to Mr. Jennings today.

Jennings is the only American-born player in NBA history to successfully bypass the NBA's "prep-to-pro" rule by heading directly from Oak Park Academy to play for Lootmatica Roma in Italy, before being selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Buck in the 2009 draft. [Ed note: Until Emmanuel Mudiay this year, but the jury is still out on him as a player.]

People forget that about Jennings.

Jennings is also the same player that torched Golden State for 55 points as a rookie. He just missed Earl Monroe's rook record of 56 set in 1968 - and two points from tying the Bucks all-time high 57 by Michael Redd. He did manage to shatter some guy named Lou's Bucks all-time record for most points in a quarter by dropping 29 in the third quarter of that game.

Jennings' Piston career was rough through the first season-plus, but shipping Josh Smith off to ball-stoppers purgatory was like a breath of fresh air into Jennings' lungs. He arguably played MVP-caliber ball in the span between J-Smoove's release and the achilles tear that ended Brandon's, as well as the Pistons' season. Luckily, he looks to be on his way back to a full recovery so far this season.

BJ wants to stay in Detroit -- but being handed the keys to the Garden and likely a heftier contract extension than he would receive from the Pistons. Jennings would make a nice 1-2 punch with Kristaps Porzingis, and will have every opportunity to showcase his court general skills that seemed to flourish after Smith was moved in Detroit. Both players played in similar situations over in Spain and Italy, respectfully.

The Achilles injury will always be on people's minds whenever he is on the court, but Jennings is exactly what the Knicks have lacked the last four years --a top-10 point guard that can distribute, handle the scoring load if asked to, while also possessing the ability to become the team leader that fans have accused Carmelo Anthony of shying away from.

Having Phil Jackson calling the shots in New York -- and able to step down off his perch in the front office to coach this squad in the event that Derek Fisher fails -- is a great insurance policy as well.

Reunited and it Feels So Good!

This deal is Peaches and Herb for the Morris twins. Markieff HATES playing in Phoenix. Marcus seems to have developed into as good of, if not a better than the player his brother is, with the Pistons. Put them together and you have..

(insert joke here)

This deal gives the boys what they want -- to play together as they had their entire careers, up until this past summer. With the Knicks roster as depleted as it is- both could start with Markieff sliding over to center in some instances to cater to Porzingis. One (most likely Markieff) could even come off the bench and log starter minutes.

The Morris twins will always have issues in the NBA, especially when together. But they also play rather well in the same lineup. Think of the Sedin's in the NHL-- except they may have jumped their mother's boyfriend outside of a rec center.

Most of all, they would have the NBA's greatest personality manager to ever coach the sport in Jackson to keep them on track. I have three words for you, reader, (a name, actually) - Metta World Peace. I rest my case.

A Fresh Start for Jodie

Jodie Meeks' Pistons career has been a disappointment. His stay has been injury-riddled, and his long-range shooting seems to have regressed a tad when he is on the court.

In New York, Meeks is guaranteed to log heavy minutes off the bench behind Arron Afflalo -- if he doesn't just take the starting job from him. His contract is relatively cheap, and aside from Cleanthony Early and Langston Galloway --there isn't anybody on the roster that could wind up taking his minutes if he's healthy. He really winds up in a similar position to the one he found himself in with the Lakers, only less comical and with a chance to win now.

The Legacy of the Zen Master

If Jennings comes to New York and explodes, Phil will look like a genius. If Phil can find a way to work the same magic he used on Artest to tame the Morris twins and harness their full potential, he becomes the king of basketball in New York. If he can turn this squad into a playoff team as early as next season, Madison Square Garden becomes the Garden of Phil Jackson at Madison Square.

This deal surrounds Kristaps Porzingis, his prized young big, with a sufficient supporting cast that can help push this Knicks team lottery to playoff contender, immeditately.

The Knicks fan base looked REALLY silly for having booed the selection of Porzingis by Jackson with the 4th pick in this past summer's draft (the have since humbled- bigtime).

$20-- says the kid with the glasses got that Porzingis jersey he wanted for Christmas (get the sarcasm?)

It reminds me of when Philly fans booed the Eagles for selecting Donovan McNabb over Ricky Williams -- the booing stopped once McNabb started taking them to NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl. They threw snowballs at Santa, so...

There is one problem with Porzingis, however. He naturally plays the same position as the team's current superstar, Carmelo Anthony. Sure, the two have looked good playing in the same lineup. But time -- as well as a lack of overall depth makes this deal a no-brainer for the Knicks.

Carmelo will have to hand the team over to Porzingis, eventually. The Knicks are depleted as it is, and MUST surround Porzingis with talent. Why not move Melo now while he has arguably his best value? Melo has already outstayed his welcome in New York -- and to some degree unfairly. By turning Melo into Jennings, the Morris twins, and Meeks -- the Knicks add legit young talent to a roster that already consists of prospects like Langston Galloway, Cleanthony Early, Derrick Williams (hide your jewels when you party, Derrick!) and Jerian Grant. Phil Jackson also acquires the Pistons first-round pick in 2016 to make up for having traded their own to Toronto.

By making this trade, the Zen Master completely remolds the team and its culture around Kristaps Porzingis -- and at cap-friendly prices. I highly doubt that Houston, or any other team, can give the Knicks a better return than the package of a healthy Jennings, Marcus and Kieff Morris, and Meeks plus the pick and swap clause with Phoenix €”for Anthony.

Jennings played euro ball for a season in Italy, €”Porzingis chose Spain over Italy before coming to the States. They have common ground and likewise hard-working winners' attitudes. Phil can use that leadership as a tool to maximize the Morris twins and the rest of the roster, for that matter.

They become a playoff team next season by making this deal, and Phil Jackson's ego gets a definite boost just two years into his reign at Madison Square Garden.

La La Better Learn to Love the Mitten

This deal is Carmelo Anthony's $1.5 billion Powerball Jackpot. He hits the lottery with this trade. He arguably lands in the best possible place for him to win a ring.

He also gets out of the spotlight out here in Detroit. Our media is NOWHERE near as ruthless as they are in New York. Carmelo has taken a lot of abuse in New York for not being superman. He puts up superstar stat lines with no supporting cast. Sure, he has Porzingis now, but he's clearly outstayed his welcome in New York. He goes from a high lottery team with a fanbase ready to chase him into the windmill with pitchforks and torches to a team that now has everything they need to contend for an NBA championship, immediately AND for the near future

Carmelo is only 31-- he can resurrect his career in Detroit. Melo actually fits with the Pistons. He's that superstar that can drop 40 on a LeBron James or Kevin Durant on a nightly basis. He gets his fair share of "superstar" calls. He can carry a team on his back when they absolutely need it. He doesn't have to do it by himself here in Detroit.

Even if ball stoppage occurs, Melo is not Josh Smith. Anthony can shoot the rock, and score from almost anywhere on the court. His lone responsibility aside from playing his share of defense would be to draw double teams and space the court for guys like Drummond, KCP, and Jackson or score the rock.

The Pistons have the best possible set of weapons any superstar could ask for, and that includes what Cleveland has put around James so far.

Carmelo's wife La La Vasquez can just learn to love Royal Oak, or Auburn Hills, wherever they set up shop here in Michigan. This is Melo's chance to beat LeBron and possibly surpass the rest of the "Ultra-team 2003 Draft Class"-- which Piston fans are still trying to forget (I don't blame Dumars, I'd have taken Darko at the time.)The PR team can even run with the whole, "We passed on him for Darko, but now we got it right!" angle.

Melo IS the only player of that class that could claim he won at a title in college and the pros, in any best of the 2003 draft class-- argument.

Archie Could Be Stan's "Steal"

Minutes.

Archie isn't an archer (corny). He's yet to shoot above 30 percent from beyond the arc in three seasons with the Suns, and he's probably not going to see much of a boost in minutes even, with Eric Bledsoe done for the year. They really like Devin Booker -- and guess what his bread and butter is?

Goodwin basically gets the same minutes with Detroit, but they become playoff team minutes-- not garbage time. Arch sure can dunk on a fast break while his team is down 20 at home.

Watch:

Man! Those seats are loud! You can actually hear people leaving.

Archie would definitely be a crowd pleaser, in Detroit with his aggressiveness. The way he dunks in half court sets is remarkable. They aren't just on fast breaks, and plays like that get the crowd jacked. If SVG developed his shooting stroke, Goodwin would be the next Gerald Green. Archie Goodwin would be a nice throw-in to help restock the roster, in this fantasy deal.

The Ballad of Stan Van Gundy

Stan had to watch Pat Reilly win the 2006 NBA Title with his Heat team. He has to feel that should have been his ring.

Stan almost had it in Orlando- the 2008-09 NBA finals team that he helped construct was sick! Had they played anybody but the Lakers, I feel they would have won the Championship. They were that good.

By making this deal, Stan may surpass that roster and finally get that ring.

THEY WILL STILL HAVE A BUNCH OF CAP ROOM! By teaming ‘Melo with Reggie and Dre, the Pistons may have the best "BIG THREE"-- in the NBA. They quite possibly have the most well rounded roster, as well.

Rim protector and human glass vacuum-check! Lock-down wing defender-check! Franchise point guard-check! Go-to scorer- you get the picture.

The bench thins with this deal, but you would also get Archie Goodwin, who I liked really liked in the 2013 draft. He's only 21 and the Pistons seem to have done a decent job with Darrun Hilliard and Reggie Bullock, who should get more minutes if this deal were to occur. Aron Baynes is obviously going to continue to spell Dre, and Anthony Tolliver shouldn't be affected by the move, but the Pistons now find spots in the rotation for Spencer Dinwiddie.

The deal also leaves a significant amount of cap space to lure in ring chasers at bargains, and Melo could be the face of the recruiting process, especially if this team thrives from the get go.

Imagine the Pistons being able to put guys like Zach Randolph, Andrei Bargnani, or Ryan Anderson in the front court with Drummond, Melo, Illyasova, and Baynes at a fraction of the cost. Or imagine KCP's life made easier by adding a Tony Allen or Jarrett Jack to a backcourt that also enlists Jackson, Caldwell-Pope, Hilliard, Dinwiddie, and Goodwin.

They would have their entire TV deal cap bump to spend on talent to bolster the roster- THEN sign Dre to a max extension.

The Pistons surrender consecutive two draft picks by making this move [Ed note: as noted earlier, trading consecutive first-round picks is illegal], but young talent like Bullock, Hilliard, and Dinwiddie loosen the burden of gambling their future, when their future can be now.

Remember when Bulls fans wanted Melo, but Jerry Krause chickened out and they stuck with Mirotic and signed Pau Gasol? If it wasn't for Jimmy Butler, there would be major backlash in Chicago at the moment because it seems that they overvalued their trade chips. I am sure that Krause wishes he could go back and make that deal.

Winning changes everything. If this deal was to occur and my predictions come to fruition, Van Gundy IS the genius by making this move.

Nobody could steal Stan Van Gundy's sunshine on this one... no one.

Don't Shoot the Messenger on this One

I know some may think this deal sounds stupid, and I would have screamed the same from the rooftops -- maybe a year or so ago. The Pistons are really just one major piece away from being a title contender. Winning can change the perception of Carmelo Anthony that the casual basketball observer may have falsely developed during Melo's time in a Knick uniform.

They probably could have contended in the East last season, if not for the Jennings injury. They can still contend for a high playoff seed, this season--with the roster that they currently have.

However, this current squad needs time to simmer before making that next leap toward being an actual threat to the NBA's elite. But why should Van Gundy wait, when one move can possibly do so now?

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