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NBA trade rumors: Pistons, Knicks reportedly discuss Tim Hardaway Jr. swap; SVG shoots it down

The Detroit Pistons are said to have discussed a trade with the Knicks for Tim Hardaway Jr. that could send Brandon Jennings to New York.

By Jason Brunskowski
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN writer Ian Begley has reported that the Detroit Pistons have engaged in trade talks with the New York Knicks.

If you're looking for any clues regarding potential draft-night trades, here's one: the Detroit Pistons are said to have interest in trading for Tim Hardaway Jr. and have tried to engage the Knicks on a deal, per league sources.

Detroit may be looking to move guard Brandon Jennings because the organization traded for fellow guard Reggie Jackson last season. Jackson will be a restricted free agent this summer.

Jennings is entering the final year of his contract and will make $8.3 million next season. In a Jennings-for-Hardaway Jr. swap, the Knicks would likely have to use their trade exception and adjust their outgoing assets to make the deal work.

It's unknown if the Knicks would want to take Jennings' salary out without further enticement. It's also worth noting that former NBA star Tim Hardaway Sr., Hardaway Jr.'s father, is an assistant coach with the Pistons.

If something like this were to go through, it is more than likely not going to be a one-for-one swap. The Pistons currently have Reggie Jackson, Brandon Jennings and Spencer Dinwiddie as their point guards. Jennings was coming into his own last year prior to his injury. Dinwiddie did not get much playing time but showed courage and poise. But is he ready to be a primary backup? Jackson will likely be re-signed by the Pistons and could be their point guard for years to come.

However, the Pistons also signed Jodie Meeks last year and have Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as their shooting guards. Unless it is believed that Tim Hardaway Jr. can play point guard well enough (his dad was a point guard, and a good one), there would be a log jam at shooting guard. Or, maybe Stan Van Gundy sees more potential in him than he does KCP.

Hardaway Jr. is only on contract for two more years. So is KCP. In Per36 numbers, Hardaway has been better on offense in all aspects while having a higher usage rate. Also, Hardaway Jr. is cheaper than KCP. Or maybe it's Meeks that Van Gundy is looking to get rid of. He had an off year last year (likely due to his injury prior to the season) and costs quite a bit more and is older than Hardaway Jr..

And since Begley brings up "draft night trades", could this involve a swap of the fourth and eighth picks? Would that allow Stan to possibly draft the much debated Mario Hezonja?

Need your input DBB. Would you be ok trading Jennings for Hardaway Jr.? If so, how would you fill in the blanks to make the trade work roster wise and financially (queue Ron Marshall and seven other teams)? Give us your input on what you think this trade could mean.

Update...

Well, there you have it..........or do you?

Boy, timing is everything. And yes, I verified that his doctor was in New York.

The team said Tuesday it has "no timetable" for his return after the procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

UPDATE:

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