Official Detroit Pistons thread

[Futureshock]

Latest On Russell Westbrook

July 7th, 2019 at 10:38am CST by Arthur Hill

The Heat and Pistons are expected to be the top contenders to land Russell Westbrookif the Thunder decide to trade him, according to Sam Amick and Brett Dawson of The Athletic.

Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti will meet this week with Westbrook and his agent, Thad Foucher, to plot out the future for the former MVP. All three were blindsided by Paul GeorgeKawhi LeonardClippersShai Gilgeous-Alexander, the centerpiece of their return in the George deal.

Miami would like to pair Westbrook with Jimmy Butler and could offer a package built around Goran Dragic, who has one year left on his contract at $19.2MM, and Dion WaitersAndre Drummond ($27MM in 2019/20 with a $28.75MM player option the following season), Reggie Jackson (one year left at $18MM) and Tony Snell($11.39MM next season followed by a $12.18MM player option).

Some executives believe the Rockets could get involved as well, given GM penchant for star chasing. However, pairing Westbrook with James Harden and Chris PaulClint Capela($14.9MM next season), Eric Gordon ($14MM), and P.J. TuckerTim MacMahon of ESPN.com

• The Knicks have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Westbrook, but will have to wait until December to make a move, notes Marc Berman of The New York PostElfrid Payton, Reggie Bullock, Bobby Portis, Wayne Ellington and Taj Gibson will all have expiring contracts that could interest the Thunder as they try to reduce a league-high tax bill. The Knicks can also offer the 2021 and 2023 first-rounders they acquired from Dallas in the Kristaps Porzingis deal, Berman adds.
• Michael Shapiro of Sports Illustrated mentions the Timberwolves, Celtics and Magic as other possibilities. A swap with Minnesota would be easy if OKC would accept Andrew Wiggins in return, he states, while the Celtics could offer Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown or wait a year and trade newly acquired Kemba Walker. Orlando has been seeking a point guard for years and has a lot of wings and big men to offer.
• The Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, Bucks, Spurs and Raptors all have the assets to get involved as well, according to Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com.

[Futureshock]

Andre Drummond ($27MM in 2019/20 with a $28.75MM player option the following season), Reggie Jackson (one year left at $18MM) and Tony Snell($11.39MM next season followed by a $12.18MM player option).

Would giving up Jackson, Snell and Drummond be too much? I am not a Drummond fan. AT ALL. To me he doesn't have the heart or Alpha-dog mentality to earn the money he makes. But he is better then a lot of Centers in the league. This just feels like it would be too much.

[Cody_Russell]

[froot loops]

You need Drummond if you are going to make a run at it. He would work well with Westbrook in the pick and roll.

I don't think OKC would take on Drummond's contract with Steven Adams big contract, they play the same position. It might need to be a 3 team swap. Drummond is better than the detractors portray and his contract isn't as bad as people think considering some of the contracts handed out in the last week. He improved a lot over the two years that Griffin has been here. He averaged 17 pts and 15 rebounds last year. If Drummond is included, it may be a bigger trade where the Pistons take back Adams, but in that scenario the Pistons need to be taking picks as Drummond is better than Adams.

[jaadam4]

[jaadam4]

You need Drummond if you are going to make a run at it. He would work well with Westbrook in the pick and roll.

I don't think OKC would take on Drummond's contract with Steven Adams big contract, they play the same position. It might need to be a 3 team swap. Drummond is better than the detractors portray and his contract isn't as bad as people think considering some of the contracts handed out in the last week. He improved a lot over the two years that Griffin has been here. He averaged 17 pts and 15 rebounds last year. If Drummond is included, it may be a bigger trade where the Pistons take back Adams, but in that scenario the Pistons need to be taking picks as Drummond is better than Adams.

[The King]

He will always be soft mentally. The last time we saw him he was hijacking Khyri Thomas' interview during summer league a few days ago. He's just a moron.

[froot loops]

He might never get tougher mentally, but you need his production if you are going for it with a Westbrook trade. Westbrook and Blake isn't enough with the rest of roster sans Jackson and Drummond. The King's diagnosis of Drummond's softness is probably correct that it won't change but that's the gamble you are making. You are also gambling that Westbrook changes his game to improve, that means more moving without the ball and less hero ball, truthfully that's a harder ask than hoping Drummond will somehow mature.

At one point Blake Griffin was the least liked star amongst his peers in the NBA, like players couldn't stand him.

[The King]

I think Casey could rein him in. Plus, WB has always been on OKC. Sometimes a scenery change can help a guy. Casey worked some magic with Lowry. Lowry was a total asshole most of his career prior to Casey.

[Futureshock]

On most teams I think RW game is a little much. But on this team it would be good IMHO. They need that guy, besides Blake, that won't back down from the fight. The beat writers are almost unanimously against it. Citing cap space in 2021. Also stating his low FG%. First, who would take their $ even if they had some? They act like Detroit is a place/team that great players want to be. Secondly, so what on the FG%. He makes up for it in many ways.

To hedge their argument, they keep including Drummond in proposed trades. I don't think that's necessarily needed. If they would take Jackson, Snell someone else (Thon Maker?) 2020 and 2021 first rd picks I think they would go for it.

Again, I am not the biggest Drummond fan. But, I think RW would have a very positive effect on him. And they would be in the conversation of the top 4 teams in the East.

So it probably won't happen.

[Futureshock]

IDK, he did good, but he was denied at the rim a few times Saturday.

[jaadam4]

[jaadam4]

I wish Frenchie would make his summer league debut. It sucks having a shinny new toy but you can't play with it.

[chemiclord]

Westbrook is about the best you could ever hope for in that scenario.

[FVD]

Read an article about this last night that makes a good point. What's the use of having cap space if you can't use it on anyone worth having?