NBA Trades: 5 lob threats the Detroit Pistons should target

possible trade partners</a> for the borderline All-Star, but this time we are going to do something a little different.</p> <p>The biggest hole on the young team currently idling with the worst record in the league is a lack of athletic size. Isaiah Stewart is undersized for his position and does not provide much in terms of a vertical threat.</p> <h2>Going into the NBA trades market, the Detroit Pistons could use a lob threat. These 5 players could be attainable and could change the offensive outlook.</h2> <p>Rookie Luka Garza has been a fun offensive experiment but may not be able to leap over a sheet of paper. Kelly Olynyk has been out for an extended period of time but is more a perimeter-oriented big man. Adding some level of pressure to the rim could make the offense finally get on track.</p> <p>The Pistons could wait for the draft to add a vertical threat, considering there are plenty projected to go in the top 10 this offseason. However, taking a chance on one now allows them to develop that aspect of Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes&rsquo; game ahead of adding another elite talent over the summer.</p> <p>Whether this perspective player is brought in via a Grant trade or other means, part of the beauty of a rebuilding season is giving young talent an additional chance.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span>&nbsp;Target #1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439827" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-439827 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1313318395.jpeg" alt="NBA Trades, Detroit Pistons" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1313318395.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1313318395-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 18: D.J. Wilson #00 of the Houston Rockets attempts a shot against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on April 18, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>NBA Trades: 5 lob threats the Detroit Pistons should target – DJ Wilson</h2> <p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"https://ca.nba.com/news/raptors-sign-forward-dj-wilson/8gm2vm6p9wox133zu8mycb31s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Just signed this week</a> to a 10-day hardship contract, DJ Wilson fits the prototype that the Detroit Pistons should be considering. Once taken in the first round of the draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, Wilson was impressive in the G-League this season and earned a shot with the Toronto Raptors.</p> <p>Over the final 23 games of last season with the Houston Rockets, he posted his best stat line on the main roster – 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He has never gotten much of an opportunity, but the G-League so far this year was a good start.</p> <p>It took Wilson until his third year in college after being lightly recruited to fully showcase his talents. Getting the chance at a similar trajectory in the NBA would be a nice story, now in a situation where he could play without concern.</p> <p>He was in a high-pressure situation with the Milwaukee Bucks to start his career, but now he would be able to learn alongside plenty of other young talents.</p> <p>Wilson is an explosive leaper and has shown flashes of three-point stroke. Being able to develop both pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll options for both of the young playmakers could be good for everyone involved.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439602" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-439602 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1316355832.jpeg" alt="NBA Trades, Detroit Pistons" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316355832.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316355832-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MAY 04: Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks the ball during the first quarter of an NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Smoothie King Center on May 04, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana, NBA Trades: 5 lob threats the Detroit Pistons should target. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>NBA Trades: 5 lob threats the Detroit Pistons should target – Jaxson Hayes</h2> <p>Jaxson Hayes has fallen out of the rotation again for the New Orleans Pelicans, despite the team trading back in the draft lottery a few years ago to take him as one of their building blocks.</p> <p>He is playing a career-low in minutes and his numbers across the board are suffering because of it. With the team trading for and extending Jonas Valanciunas, a path back seems tough to discern.</p> <p>However, the potential is still quite clear. He has played in just two games so far for the Birmingham Squadron (New Orleans’ G-League team), but he stood out immediately. In the first tilt, he scored 17 points and added 12 rebounds, five blocks, three steals, and two assists. Then in his second game, he exploded for 30 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and one steal.</p> <p>Hayes is the type of young player a team like the Pistons should be taking a chance on. He has never gotten a full fair shot and could use a change of scenery.</p> <p>Better yet, after doing interview rounds, it seems the thing Hayes has missed out on the most is a coach who believes in him. Giving him a chance to catch lobs from Cade Cunningham could quickly revitalize the former lottery picks career.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439828" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-439828" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1237389376.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1237389376.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1237389376-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks in action against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-91. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>NBA Trades: 5 lob threats the Detroit Pistons should target – Mitchell Robinson</h2> <p>The timing is appropriate, as Mitchell Robinson just had his best game of the season against the Pistons earlier this week. Finally given an increased workload, Robinson went off for 17 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and a steal.</p> <p>After multiple seasons of being a per-36 minutes standout, it may finally be time for Robinson to find himself getting increased minutes with a new team.</p> <p>For his career at a per-36-minute rate, Robinson is averaging 12.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals. All of his shot attempts this season have come within five feet of the rim, with roughly 15 percent of them coming on alley-oops.</p> <p>Considering he has not played with a real passing threat so far this season, giving him a chance to receive passes from Cunningham and Hayes should reasonably open things up for the big man.</p> <p>Robinson is approaching restricted free agency and trading for him now would also give the Pistons the right to have some amount of control over negotiations.</p> <p>He is also the first player on the list to show consistent defensive potential, an added bonus outside of adding the singular skill that the Pistons were looking to add. Health and consistency remain a question, but Robinson is well worth the risk.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439829" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-439829 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1359051158.jpeg" alt="NBA Trades, Detroit Pistons" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359051158.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359051158-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 14: Nic Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets dunks the ball as Malachi Flynn #22 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the first half at Barclays Center on December 14, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>NBA Trades: 5 lob threats the Detroit Pistons should target – Nicolas Claxton</h2> <p>More of a victim of circumstance than anything else, Nicolas Claxton cannot find regular rotation minutes on one of the most veteran-riddled teams in the league. Competing for a championship, Steve Nash’s squad has been more likely to rely on the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge to man the paint.</p> <p>However, the potential is clear, and as the team struggles to find any asset worth trading, Claxton could be ripe for the picking. Even in limited minutes, his production has stood out. He averaged over one block per game a season ago while playing under 20 minutes per game.</p> <p>When he is on the court Claxton makes his presence felt. He excels in transition and would fit the pace the Pistons like to push when all the young prospects are on the court.</p> <p>Claxton fits the timeline, but health will always be a concern. In the midst of his third season, the young big man has been limited to just 58 games so far. He has dealt with issues related to his hamstring and a surgically repaired shoulder among other things.</p> <p>However, should health ever finally get on his side, he would be the kind of elite prospect that rarely becomes available at just 22 years old.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_439830" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-439830 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1133,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1230922657.jpeg" alt="NBA Trades, Detroit Pistons" width="1600" height="1133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230922657.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230922657-768x544.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">SAN ANTONIO, TX – FEBRUARY 01: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks past Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs at AT&amp;T Center on February 1, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>NBA Trades: 5 lob threats the Detroit Pistons should target – Brandon Clarke</h2> <p>Once an All-Rookie performer, just two seasons later, Brandon Clarke finds himself as one of the few young players for the Memphis Grizzlies unable to lock down a spot in the rotation.</p> <p>He showed in his first season that he was capable of being a solid contributor in the right situation, and in Detroit, he would have a chance to prove himself yet again.</p> <p>Overall, Clarke is a solid cutter and would thrive getting to the basket, providing the kind of rim pressure only Hamidou Diallo currently provides. His game is more defined at this point, as is expected for the oldest player among the group.</p> <p>This would be more about finding a player to play the role and would not prevent them from drafting whoever they would choose to do so once July comes around.</p> <p>Perhaps the most appealing point of a trade for Clarke is that the Grizzlies would be making a consolidation trade should they be making some sort of move.</p> <p>Allowing the Pistons to nab another young player or draft pick in the process of filling an actual need has to be something that would entice Troy Weaver to at least make the call. Only time will tell, but it is something to keep an eye on.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="6 Jerami Grant trades to help the Detroit Pistons" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/16/nba-trades-jerami-grant-detroit-pistons/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/24/nba-trades-detroit-pistons-lob-threat/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/16/nba-trades-jerami-grant-detroit-pistons/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 6 Jerami Grant trades to help the Detroit Pistons </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">