Does this trade make sense for the Detroit Pistons?
From Detroit’s point of view, this is definitely a trade that should be of interest to them because they get everything they would want for the first overall pick. They move back one spot, gain two other first-round picks and they also pick up an extra future first-round pick in the process.
There is really nothing not to like about this trade proposal by Houston, which is why Detroit would probably be more than willing to make this deal with the Rockets. Cade Cunningham would be a big addition for the Detroit Pistons and give them a franchise-changing point guard, but they could easily draft their next “face of the franchise” with the second pick, presumably Jalen Green.
Cade Cunningham is obviously the clear-cut favorite to be the #1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but if the Pistons truly fall in love with Jalen Green or Evan Mobley during the pre-draft process, then there’s no reason why they should not take them over Cunningham.
There is little that separates these top-tier prospects and quite honestly, it is all about a matter of opinion on who thinks which guy is better overall. Many would say Cunningham, but at the end of the day, the Pistons could favor Green or Mobley more and if this is the case, then they should absolutely select them with the 1st overall pick.
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The only thing about doing this though is that they could still draft Green or Mobley second overall, which is why this trade with the Rockets makes complete sense for the Detroit Pistons to accept if offered.
If Cunningham is drafted first overall after making this trade, then the Pistons are able to draft Green or Mobley, but if Green/Mobley are drafted first, then the Pistons still wind up with Cade Cunningham. This is a win-win situation for the Detroit Pistons, especially since they gain more future assets in the process.
