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In the offseason, the Detroit Pistons traded shooting guard Ben Gordon and a protected first-round pick to the Charlotte Bobcats for the expiring contract of Corey Maggette.
At the time some Pistons fans were happy and thought it was good trade while others were unhappy and thought it was a horrible trade.
Only time will tell, of course, because much depends on what draft pick the Pistons are ultimately forced to surrender to the Bobcats.
But now there are new trade rumors involving Ben Gordon. According to ESPN, the Bobcats and Brooklyn Nets are having discussions about trading Ben Gordon and Kris Humphries. Gordon is having one of his typical seasons (aka providing some shooting but not much else) and is shooting 41 percent from three. Humphries, meanwhile, is having his worst season as a member of the Nets.
He signed a contract in the offseason that pays him $12 million this year and next while Gordon makes $12.4 million this year and has a player option for $13.2 million next year.
Imagine, if you will, an alternate timeline where Detroit still had Ben Gordon, still drafted Andre Drummond, still traded Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye, and got a call from the Nets, who were interested in a trade.
What would you rather have -- Kris Humphries and the draft pick or the salary cap space that Maggette's expiring deal gives you and lose the draft pick?
Of course, lets imagine and alternate, alternate timeline where Detroit still had Ben Gordon, still drafted Andre Drummond and still traded Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye. Would the Pistons even be interested in trading Gordon?
We know Lawrence Frank likes to surround Drummond with 3-point threats. We also know that one of the reasons that Jonas Jerebko was booted from the rotation in favor of Charlie Villanueva was CV's 3-point shooting ability. And we also know that the shooting guard position has been a weak spot for Detroit all season. Would they even be willing to trade Gordon? Would we even want them to?