When an NBA team is losing, they’re typically expected to sell at the trade deadline. The season is halfway over – if you’re losing enough, it’s probably lost. Typically, the best decision is to cut your losses and collect some assets.
With that said, a team may have a breaking point. They could decide that they’ve been losing for too long. When a team has one in a long series of losing seasons, they may buck conventional wisdom.
It feels like the Detroit Pistons could make that decision this year. They’re the worst team in the NBA. They were the worst team in the NBA last season. The Pistons have been losing for a long time – they may decide to acquire a quality veteran at the deadline.
Could that veteran be Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets?
NBA Trade Proposal: Detroit Pistons Land Charlotte Hornets’ Terry Rozier
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G/F Joe Harris, F Kevin Knox II, 2025 First-Round Pick (DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: G Terry Rozier
This has been a trying era for Pistons basketball. Younger readers may not be aware of this organization’s illustrious history. Even for our older readers, it’s easy to lose sight of who the Pistons once were.
If you’re especially experienced, you’ll remember the Bad Boy Pistons of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Even if your memory doesn’t reach that far, you may recall that the Pistons won the NBA title in 2004.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons Updates
Unfortunately, they’ve struggled to compete for the title since that moment. At least they’ve had their championship glory. The Hornets are a younger franchise, but they’ve never been a serious title threat since their inception.
Does this deal help them get closer to that goal?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
There’s sometimes a contradiction in acquiring draft capital from another team. If you’re sending them a quality player, you’re making them better. Therefore, you’re weakening the asset that you’re receiving in the process.
At the same time – this is an unprotected first from the worst team in the NBA. Rozier is a dynamic offensive guard. He’s not likely to carry Detroit into the playoffs. The Hornets are landing a pick that’s exceedingly likely to land in the lottery here.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons Updates
Meanwhile, they’ve had a difficult year in their own right. The Hornets fit the picture of a traditional seller – and with this deal, they’re selling.
Should the Pistons break with tradition?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
Rozier won’t lift Detroit into the playoffs by next season. He could lift them closer to respectability. If the Pistons make this deal, the goal will be to ensure that this pick conveys on the higher end of the lottery.
That feels like a reasonable goal. As bad as the Pistons have been, they’ve got talent. Meanwhile, Rozier could be precisely the player they need. Cade Cunningham could use a backcourt partner who can space the floor.
Rozier can do that and get downhill and create his own shot at will as well. This would be a bold decision. People will be angry if the Pistons do this deal. With that said, they may not be angry for long.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons Updates
If Rozier helps them win games, it’ll be a much-needed breath of fresh air. If you haven’t noticed, the Pistons have been losing for a long time.
