Detroit Pistons mailbag: Best trade partners? Can they move up in the NBA draft?

It's mid-September and the 2020 NBA draft is still more than two months away. But there's still been plenty of speculation on what's in store for the Detroit Pistons during the draft and free agency.

This month's mailbag largely looks at potential trades they could pursue. Thankfully, the playoffs have given us new angles to consider. Let's get to it.

[ The Free Press has started a digital subscription model. Here's how you can gain access to our most exclusive Pistons content. ]

On paper, it makes sense that the Bucks would be interested in acquiring a player like Derrick Rose. It was glaringly obvious during their series against the Heat that they lack a secondary playmaker to help Giannis Antetokounmpo. Eric Bledsoe is a great defender, but his offense disappeared in the playoffs. They miss Malcolm Brogdon, to say the least.

For subscribers: Ranking who stays, who goes for 2020-21 season

Rose is on the books next season for roughly $7.7 million — a bargain considering he averaged 18.1 points and 5.6 assists last season. But he only hit 30.6% of his 3s last season, not too far off from his career average. He doesn’t address one of Milwaukee’s other biggest needs, shooting. He also isn’t the same caliber of defender that Bledsoe and George Hill are. How much would Milwaukee be willing to give up for him?

The Bucks have the 24th pick in this year’s draft, courtesy of Indiana, and one young asset in Donte DiVincenzo. They could swap either DiVincenzo or the pick, along with former Piston Ersan Ilyasova’s expiring contract, for Rose. I like the deal for Detroit if they get a pick back. If I’m Milwaukee, I’m probably hoping I can better maximize the pick considering it’s one of their few tradeable assets available.

Boston makes a lot of sense. They have three first-round picks this year — the 14th, 26th and 30th. Considering they’ve established themselves as an Eastern Conference power, currently only have one available roster spot and have nine players 25 or younger, it’s fair to assume they’d benefit from getting off of some of their draft picks.

For subscribers: 3 trades Pistons should target on NBA draft night

I’m also intrigued by the Nets. Kevin Durant is returning next year and if he’s 100% healthy, Brooklyn should have a real shot at being a high playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. They’re also capped out and could lose their best shooter, Joe Harris, in free agency this summer. I mentioned it as a trade in a story last week, but Luke Kennard makes a lot of sense for the Nets. He’s five years younger than Harris, a superior passer and almost-comparable as a 3-point marksman. Most importantly, he’ll be extension-eligible this offseason and a restricted free agent next summer, giving Brooklyn an opportunity to secure him long-term.

If Detroit is still open to moving on from Kennard, a conversation should be had there. Brooklyn has the 19th pick in this year’s draft, and all of their future firsts afterward. The Pistons could receive value down the road, when the Nets will certainly hope to be contending for a title and earning late first-rounders.

Given that the top of this draft just doesn’t have the same level of talent that past drafts have had, I don’t think there’s much reason for the Pistons to give up assets to move up, unless it’s for a top-two pick. And while there have already been rumors of the Timberwolves and Warriors considering trading those picks, the Pistons don’t seem to have any players that would warrant a deal — unless Detroit offers a bag, or a surprise bidding war emerges for a healthy Blake Griffin.

More on Pistons: Why they might look to New Zealand for a steal in the draft

After last month’s lottery, general manager Troy Weaver told reporters that he believes the draft is 14 or 15 players deep, and that the Pistons can get the same quality of player between the third and 13th picks. The actual range could be bigger, considering the amount of uncertainty. There’s obvious value in moving down, based on Weaver’s comments.

It’s tough to say which is more likely for the Pistons, since the draft is still two months away and trades are really hard to project. But it’s easier to see the logic in moving down than in moving up.

It’s not a particularly strong class for bigs, but there are a few players who make sense for Detroit. Kings center Harry Giles III, the 20th pick of the 2017 draft, will be an unrestricted free agent. The former five-star recruit has been hampered by knee injuries since his high school days, but he has established himself as a serviceable center with upside as a playmaker. He would be a good add.

Dwane Casey has made it clear that he wants the Pistons to acquire a point guard, either in free agency or through the draft. They’re also thin at center, with the recently signed Justin Patton the only one on the roster. Both positions should be addressed.

As for a Miami-like turnaround? They’ll need a lot of luck. The Heat are in the Eastern Conference finals because of Jimmy Butler and great overall planning by the front office, but also because of roster improvements that were impossible to predict. Bam Adebayo went from backup big to All-Star and All-Defensive Second Team member. Michigan alum Duncan Robinson went from undrafted Summer League signee to two-way player to a starter and one of the league’s best 3-point shooters in the span of two years. Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro have exceeded expectations as rookies.

Among the many things the Pistons need if they want to sniff the Eastern Conference finals next year — a healthy Griffin and Kennard, a starting point guard who can win games for them, at least one center who can reliably protect the rim, more shooting and more overall depth.

They’re probably not going to check all of these boxes this offseason, unless they’re very fortunate. And even if they are, they’ll need cooperation from the rest of the conference to make a massive leap forward. Brooklyn should be a much better team with Durant returning. The Bucks are still the Bucks. The Celtics, Sixers, Raptors and Pacers will be in the mix as well.

Miami's success probably isn’t a realistic expectation for the Pistons next season. But I do think there's a chance they’ll be better than people expect. It largely depends on what Weaver and the rest of the front office prioritizes this offseason.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here's how you can gain access to our most exclusive Pistons content. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons mailbag: Which teams are the best trade partners?