How do the Pistons get another 2020 draft pick?

I told you guys my Spidey-Sense was tingling in the previous rumors piece I did - Troy Weaver wants multiple picks in this year’s draft. A guy who’s built his NBA reputation on scouting and player evaluation being fine with making one draft selection didn’t make much sense to me. Fortunately, Troy Weaver actually talked to the media between then and now, and did express some interest in picking up another selection in this year’s draft:

Weaver also talked about entertaining all options available to them, then answered a separate question about LaMelo Ball. This, of course, got aggregated into “WOULD THE PISTONS TRADE UP FOR LAMELO?!?!?!?” which is understandable but irresponsible.

In the spirit of “understandable but irresponsible,” then, let’s do some fake trades to get the Detroit Pistons those aforementioned draft picks! Here are some fake trades that get Detroit some more picks, along with my rationale for doing it:

Swapping injury-prone, over-drafted, indispensable young guys:

It’s me. You know I gotta trade Luke Kennard in one of these types of pieces, let’s get it out of the way early.

My thought process was this: The Pistons need big men, and Mo Bamba needs a change of scenery. Bamba was seeing his rotation minutes decline prior to the season’s delay, then he got coronavirus, then he recovered from coronavirus, then he barely played in the bubble, then he left the bubble early for a “comprehensive post-coronavirus evaluation,” in which he checked out fine, but... yeah, Mo needs a change of scenery. Mo comes to Detroit, forms an intriguing longboi pairing with Christian Wood, covers for Blake Griffin at the rim, and maybe gets the freedom to shoot more threes.

On the other hand, Luke addresses a LOT of what the Orlando Magic need: Knockdown shooting, shot creation, and playmaking in half-court settings. The Magic, as a team that consistently performs well on the defensive end, cover Luke’s major weakness. Luke offers the Magic Evan Fournier insurance/leverage as Fournier decides between taking his player option or trying for a longer contract worth slightly less. The Magic offer Luke an actual extension (probably), which, again, is notable that you haven’t heard a whisper out of either Detroit or Luke’s camp about an extension.

Twitter was, uh, very divided on this trade. Both guys’ injury history got mentioned, fans of both teams assured me I was selling low on their guy, and some people actually liked it. That’s a sign of a decent deal, in my opinion.

Tony Snell Trade 2.0, featuring Tony Snell:

The Tony Snell deal the Pistons did last season - helping out a team in a salary crunch at the low, low cost of a pick in the 30’s - was so good for the Pistons they should do it again. Hell, do it every year - all you need is an expiring contract and a team who needs an expiring contract.

This year’s Tony Snell is Cory Joseph, a perfectly fine backup point guard who makes $12.6 million the next two season. This trade helps the Kings clear space next year, when they will want/need to extend De’Aaron Fox. This year’s Jon Leuer is ... Tony Snell.

Last year, the Pistons picked up pick 30 (an actual factual first-round pick). To make up the difference between 30 and pick 35 (not a first rounder), Sacramento also throws in Houston’s 2020 second-round pick, the 52nd selection overall, where Detroit hopes to find another Jordan Bone. Also, that 35th pick is actually originally the Pistons’ pick! It was surrendered to the Phoenix Suns in the (first) Marcus Morris trade, then went from Phoenix to Sacramento in the Marquese Chriss trade.

Let’s eat some sin:

It is hardly a secret that the Philadelphia 76ers would love to get rid of Al Horford’s contract. The Pistons, as perhaps the only team with both the cap space to absorb Horford’s contract and a relative need in the frontcourt, should be among the first calls Daryl Morey makes to do so. In exchange for securing multiple first round picks, the Pistons can cede lottery protection in 2022 (when Philly should still be a playoff team) and top-5 protection in 2024 (when, honestly, who knows what will happen. Joel Embiid will be 30 and Ben Simmons will be a Laker by 2024).

Additionally, a lesser-thought about issue is that there’s basically no way the Sixers can bring back Alec Burks AND Glenn Robinson III, both of whom filled gaps on the wing for the Sixers in the bubble and the postseason. Enter Tony Snell. As a guy who is under contract, makes open threes and is in the correct place on defense, Snell is exactly what Philadelphia needs this offseason. Immediate help demands immediate relief, so Atlanta’s second-round pick this year (No. 34) is the price for Tony Snell.

Danny Ainge’s Eastern Conference Finals Daycare Center is full:

Everyone’s talking about the Celtics swapping 14, 26, and 30 to go big-game hunting in the lottery. Well, they also have the 47th overall pick in this year’s draft, and they need that pick EVEN LESS than they need those picks at the bottom of the first round, because they already have ten (TEN!) players 25 or younger on the roster and no time to develop all of them.

So while they’re discussing 7 for No. 14, 26, and 30, Troy Weaver offers Danny Ainge a second-round pick swap of kid who is currently in middle school for a kid today. Ainge half-heartedly offers Enes Kanter instead, Weaver says no, Ainge acquiesces, and the Pistons pick up a “free” second round pick.

Alright DBB - what do you think of these trades? Got any better “Tony Snell for a pick between 30-45” trades? Wanna fight about Luke Kennard’s trade value some more? Give it to me in the comments.