Some NBA teams are just one piece away. They’re good, but if they added that piece, they could be contenders. Typically, we’re thinking of young teams. It’s time for some teams to put the finishing touches on their rebuild.
Take the Orlando Magic. This team has a pair of offensive focal points in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They’ve got a platoon of quality defensive players. What are the Magic missing?
Shooting. This team’s floor is poorly spaced. If the Magic want to make the leap, they’ll need to change that. So, Orlando should be targeting a sweet shooter on the trade market this season.
How about Alec Burks of the Detroit Pistons?
NBA Trade Proposal — Orlando Magic Land Alec Burks
Detroit Pistons receive: F Chuma Okeke, C Goga Bitadze, G/F Caleb Houstan
Orlando Magic receive: G/F Alec Burks
By contrast, some teams are several pieces away. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have talent. They may have plenty. With that said, that talent just hasn’t come together yet. The Detroit Pistons feel like an example of that type of team.
This rebuild has been interesting. The Pistons have a lot of young talent. It just doesn’t necessarily fit together on the floor. Perhaps that’s why Jaden Ivey has been relegated to the bench.
Cade Cunningham has been operating at this team’s primary playmaker, and Ivey’s defensive limitations aren’t worth living with if he’s not going to handle the ball.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alec Burks, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons Updates
Meanwhile, James Wiseman hasn’t even been active. That’s because Jalen Duren has been in the midst of a breakout. The Pistons have a lot of young talent, but some of it overlaps.
Does this deal help them balance their roster?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
We think so. The Pistons are bringing in three young players here. Each of them should complement the rest of the players on this roster. Let’s elaborate.
Bitadze is a stretch big man. He’s a questionable defender – that’s why he’d be backing up Duren. Still, his ability to space the floor gives the Pistons a new dynamic they can use when necessary.
Meanwhile, Houstan could be a knockdown shooter in this league, and Okeke is a utility wing who does a little bit of everything. This deal won’t necessarily make Detroit better now.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alec Burks, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons Updates
Still, it gives them some solid role players to put around their core guys moving forward. By diversifying their roster, they may have an easier time figuring out.
Should the Magic help them diversify?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
For the Pistons, these may be intriguing rotation players. For Orlando, they’re spare parts. The Magic aren’t overly reliant on any of these guys. They can afford to part with them.
Meanwhile, Burks is exactly the type of player that they need. He’s a knockdown shooter. Still, that’s not all that he brings to the table. Burks is a solid defender and a decent secondary playmaker. This is a well-rounded player who will make the Magic a better team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alec Burks, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons Updates
Why is he available at this price? Burks hits free agency next summer. This may be a one year rental for the Magic. That’s fine – they’re not using any of these players much in the first place. Burks may be the last piece they need to make a playoff run this season.
