The Detroit Pistons (26-30) believed both young center Andre Drummond and point guard Reggie Jackson were each franchise cornerstones capable of bringing the once proud team back to prominence in the Eastern Conference. It turns out both could be available for trades, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe Wednesday. A move of both or either player could signal another rebuilding effort for Detroit.
The 23-year-old Drummond and No. 9 overall pick in the 2012 draft has become a rebounding machine and rim-protector. A move out of Detroit at the deadline was viewed as a “long shot,” according to the report.
Drummond’s contract wasn’t exactly movable, either. Besides having an eight-percent trade kicker in the five-year deal he signed in July, Drummond will make between $23.7 million and more than $27 million between next season and the 2019-20 season. He also has a $28.7 million option for the final year of the contract, according to Basketball-Reference.
However, Jackson, who has dealt with a knee injury but was still a capable, slashing scorer and shooter, could be dealt to any interested teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans or a “mystery” team.
The Pistons have apparently shopped both players, but Drummond leaving prior to the Feb. 23 trade deadline was unlikely given his potential and age. He has averaged 13.4 points and 12.8 rebounds with 1.6 blocks over his five-year career. Otherwise, Drummond’s offensive game appears to have plateaued and Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy made waves around the league earlier this season when he essentially said every player in the NBA could be dealt at the “right” price.
Jackson toiled his way between the development league and the Oklahoma City Thunder for roughly two years. He was eventually stuck behind All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook before Detroit acquired him prior to the deadline in Feb. 2015. Jackson went on to become a focal point of Van Gundy’s offense almost immediately and has netted 17.7 points and 6.6 assists over 141 games with the Pistons the last two seasons.
But Detroit has largely continued to struggle this season and many expected the squad to improve rather than teeter between the East’s final playoff spot and rest of the conference’s lesser teams.
Jackson’s deal was much more cap-friendly for possible trade partners. He won’t make more than $18 million until the 2019-20 season and could still be a solid back-up as a sixth man for a number of teams in need of scoring or a floor general.
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