Pistons predicted to trade for $125M versatile shooting center in blockbuster three-team deal

Pistons predicted to trade for $125M versatile shooting center in blockbuster three-team deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Detroit Pistons felt they underperformed last season when it came to the playoffs, largely because several players had little to no previous postseason experience. Detroit has built its identity around winning games on the defensive end, but the team still needs to become more consistent offensively.That is why the Pistons spent the offseason exploring ways to add some of the NBA's top offensive talent. They checked in on players such as Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Austin Reaves.“The Pistons inquired about trading for Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant this offseason, according to league sources, and were positioned to offer Austin Reaves a big free agent contract if the Los Angeles Lakers opened the door. None of that materialized," ESPN's Vincent Goodwill wrote.Detroit made an aggressive push but wasn't able to pry any of those players away from their respective teams. However, that doesn't mean the organization is going to stop looking for ways to improve its roster. Starting center Jalen Duren is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that is expected to sideline him for at least two more weeks.“The Pistons say Jalen Duren will miss at least two more weeks due to a hamstring strain," The Stein Line's Marc Stein posted.Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has proposed a three-team trade that would send Ron Holland and 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets, Kevin Huerter and 2029 and 2030 second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls, and Naz Reid to the Pistons.“Detroit doesn't have to wait on a larger sample with Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson to know it needs another long-term forward. John Collins is an imperfect, temporary answer. Reid is a more permanent solution. He is in the heart of his prime at 27 years old. His contract has him under team control through 2028-29 at less than 15 percent of the salary cap. (He holds a 2029-30 player option.),” Favale wrote.This would be a significant move for Detroit, giving the Pistons the offensive production they have been looking for while adding a versatile big man who could play either forward or center, depending on how the team wants to use him.Reid is currently on a $125 million contract with the Hornets. Things have reportedly not gone smoothly for him in Charlotte, as he has already been benched after failing to meet the team's expectations.Why this makes sense for DetroitSimply put, Reid is one of the best-shooting big men in the NBA, and that is one of the areas where the Pistons need the most help. After this season, Detroit would have control of the big man for at least two more seasons.This would be an investment that could pay significant dividends when the playoffs arrive. Reid would give the Pistons another offensive weapon who can stretch the floor and create more opportunities for the rest of the lineup.Adding Reid would make it much harder for opposing defenses to send extra help toward Cade Cunningham. Teams would have to respect Reid's shooting ability, creating more room for Cunningham to operate.This is the type of move that could address several of the offensive problems Detroit experienced during last season's playoffs.More MLB news:Raptors predicted to trade for ex-Thunder All-Star, rebounding merchant to pair with Kawhi LeonardMavericks' Kyrie Irving gets major trade update as future with Dallas remains in questionWarriors' Draymond Green's future in Golden State reportedly in limbo ahead of NBA trade deadlinePistons predicted to trade for Mavericks' $118M veteran NBA champion, Future Hall of Famer