The Detroit Pistons have a crowded backcourt at the moment. Last season the team operated with Brandon Jennings as the go-to started until a torn Achilles ended his season early. The Pistons then traded for Reggie Jackson who turned out to be a star in the second half of the season and earned a franchise-best five-year, $80 million deal. The Pistons also traded for Steve Blake this offseason. With that crowded group, is someone leaving and someone coming in?
Despite all of their offseason additions at the position, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Pistons are one of the team interested in acquiring point guard Ty Lawson. The veteran is coming off his second DUI arrest of the year, but Mannix reports that teams are still intrigued by his talent level and manageable contract. He is coming off a season where he averaged 15.2 points and 9.6 assists per game while having just two years and $25 million remaining on his current deal. The Nuggets have been shopping Lawson since drafting Mudiay and the Pistons could emerge as a contender for the point guard.
Detroit does not need Lawson per say, but trade rumors have been circulating Jennings which would mean there is an opening on the roster. Jennings is still recovering from his Achilles tear and is entering the final year of his contract, set to make $8.3 million this season. According to the Detroit Free Press, Jennings is on track to be healthy come the start of the season, but he is also an excellent trade target for teams looking for short-term help. NBA sources have linked everyone form the New York Knicks to the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings to a deal for Jennings which means the Pistons have a spot for Lawson.
It is assumed that Jackson would be the starter in 2015, but having a backcourt of him and Lawson would be favorable to Detroit. The team acquired Marcus Morris and Vince Ellis in the offseason which should help Detroit get back into being contenders, but having a dynamic backcourt could be the x-factor for the team.
Mannix writes that the Lakers and the Rockets also remain interested in Lawson. A deal is not expected to get done quickly as the point guard is still dealing with repercussions of the DUI arrest. However, heading into training camp and the end of the summer, Lawson will be a name to watch on the trade block.
