(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons need at least one more shooter on the roster. Here are some long range snipers that could be available via trade.
After Dwane Casey took over the head coaching reins of the Detroit Pistons this offseason, a lot of talk among fans and media following the team centered around impending changes to the offense.
One thing Casey made clear soon after being hired is that the Pistons would be taking more 3-pointers. A lot more 3-pointers.
Casey’s system emphasizing the 3 has been successful. He used it to lead the Toronto Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016 and the No. 1 playoff seed in the East last season, when he won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. (The Raptors fired Casey after a third straight embarrassing postseason exit at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.)
It’s one thing to throw up a lot of 3s, though. The key is getting them to go into the basket.
Through 12 games this season, the Pistons (6-6) are sixth in the NBA in 3-point attempts (35.0 per game) and 14th in 3-point makes (11.0 per game), but they rank an alarming 29th out of 30 teams in 3-point accuracy (31.4 percent).
The team’s two most prolific 3-point shooters — power forward Blake Griffin and point guard Reggie Jackson — are not necessarily known for their acumen in that area. Reggie Bullock, who finished second in the league in 3-point accuracy last season (44.5 percent), is down almost 10 whole percentage points this season (35.6 percent). Stanley Johnson has the fourth-most attempts on the team, but he’s made only 29.4 percent of those attempts.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1061742942979846144
All-Star center Andre Drummond was the talk of Pistons Twitter this summer because he was reportedly working on adding a 3-point shot to his repertoire, but he’s shot just 2-of-11 beyond the arc since the games started to count.
It is still early and the sample size is small, but unless some slumping Pistons get hot — or some previously unknown 3-point gunners reveals himself — it looks like Detroit simply doesn’t have the shooting to be consistently successful in Casey’s preferred system.
Sooner than later, this front office should be scouring the free-agent pool and initiating trade talks to acquire someone who can make the Pistons more of a threat beyond the arc.
Here are five players who would make sense for Detroit in a trade scenario.
Detroit Pistons</a> this offseason, a lot of talk among fans and media following the team centered around impending changes to the offense.</p>
<p>One thing Casey made clear soon after being hired is that the Pistons would be taking more 3-pointers. A lot more 3-pointers.</p>
<p>Casey’s system emphasizing the 3 has been successful. He used it to lead the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/toronto-raptors/">Toronto Raptors</a> to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016 and the No. 1 playoff seed in the East last season, when he won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. (The Raptors fired Casey after a third straight embarrassing postseason exit at the hands of the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/cleveland-cavaliers/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>.)</p>
<p>It’s one thing to throw up a lot of 3s, though. The key is getting them to go into the basket.</p>
<p>Through 12 games this season, the Pistons (6-6) are sixth in the NBA in 3-point attempts (35.0 per game) and 14th in 3-point makes (11.0 per game), but they rank an alarming 29th out of 30 teams in 3-point accuracy (31.4 percent).</p>
<p>The team’s two most prolific 3-point shooters — power forward <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/griffbl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Blake Griffin</a> and point guard <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksre01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Reggie Jackson</a> — are not necessarily known for their acumen in that area. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bullore01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Reggie Bullock</a>, who finished second in the league in 3-point accuracy last season (44.5 percent), is down almost 10 whole percentage points this season (35.6 percent). <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsst04.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Stanley Johnson</a> has the fourth-most attempts on the team, but he’s made only 29.4 percent of those attempts.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1061742942979846144</p>
<p>All-Star center <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/drumman01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Andre Drummond</a> was the talk of Pistons Twitter this summer because he was reportedly working on adding a 3-point shot to his repertoire, but he’s shot just 2-of-11 beyond the arc since the games started to count.</p>
<p>It is still early and the sample size is small, but unless some slumping Pistons get hot — or some previously unknown 3-point gunners reveals himself — it looks like Detroit simply doesn’t have the shooting to be consistently successful in Casey’s preferred system.</p>
<p>Sooner than later, this front office should be scouring the free-agent pool and initiating trade talks to acquire someone who can make the Pistons more of a threat beyond the arc.</p>
<p>Here are five players who would make sense for Detroit in a trade scenario.</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/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>5. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/holidju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Justin Holiday</a></h3>
<p>The 29-year-old wing for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/chicago-bulls/">Chicago Bulls</a> ranks in the league’s top-10 in 3-pointers made and attempted this season, while shooting a career-best 38.6 percent from long range.</p>
<p>Holiday is also a tough, rangy defender who averages 1.6 steals per game, and he gained some valuable postseason experience by winning an NBA championship with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/golden-state-warriors/">Golden State Warriors</a> in 2015.</p>
<p>The Pistons could offer the Bulls a straight up trade for Stanley Johnson, their 22-year-old small forward who began the season as a starter but has been coming off the bench lately. Johnson’s best asset is his defense, as the 2015 lottery pick is still inconsistent offensively.</p>
<p>A lot of Detroit fans would welcome any trade for Johnson, who is often made a scapegoat when the Pistons lose.</p>
<p>Of course, you’d have to ask: Would the Bulls really want Johnson for Holiday? It helps that Johnson is younger and more impressive athletically, but while he may even be a better defender, he would be a downgrade for the Bulls offensively.</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/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>4. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/snellto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tony Snell</a></h3>
<p>Snell was a part-time starter who played over 27 minutes per game for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/milwaukee-bucks/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> last season, but under first-year coach Mike Budenholzer, his minutes have decreased to 16 per game and he’s come off the bench every night.</p>
<p>If the Bucks are running out of room for Snell in the rotation, the Pistons would be smart to take a chance on him and his 48.6 percent 3-point shooting.</p>
<p>The Pistons could offer Milwaukee a one-for-one trade to get Snell in exchange for power forward <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leuerjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jon Leuer</a>, who played college ball at Wisconsin and spent his NBA rookie season with the Bucks in 2011-12. Or, Detroit could send Stanley Johnson and backup guard <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallola01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Langston Galloway</a> to Milwaukee for Snell.</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/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>3. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/korveky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kyle Korver</a></h3>
<p>Statistically, Korver is one of the greatest 3-point shooters in NBA history. He ranks fourth all-time in 3-pointers made (No. 1 among active players) and seventh in career percentage, knocking down 43.1 percent of his looks from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>At 37 years old, Korver is a few years removed from his prime, when he made the All-Star Game in 2015 with the Atlanta Hawks, but as recently as last season he was a key contributor for the Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers.</p>
<p>During Cleveland’s early-season struggles, it was reported that Korver wanted out, and lately his name has been attached to some serious contenders like the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/philadelphia-76ers/">Philadelphia 76ers</a>. If he wouldn’t mind playing for a team with potential to make some noise in the playoffs but may not be considered the elite in the conference, Korver could help the Pistons.</p>
<p>A package including Stanley Johnson, power forward <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ellenhe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Henry Ellenson</a> and draft picks could be enough for Detroit to acquire Korver. Johnson is young and in the final year of his contract, Ellenson is young and still has some potential, and every team likes draft picks.</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/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/matthwe02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Wesley Matthews</a></h3>
<p>The second-leading scorer (16.8 points per game) on the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/dallas-mavericks/">Dallas Mavericks</a> could be expendable, as the team has its backcourt of the future in place with rookie <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/doncilu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Luka Doncic</a> and second-year pro <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithde03.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dennis Smith</a> Jr. Matthews is a 32-year-old with a sizable salary.</p>
<p>The Pistons could offer point guard Reggie Jackson and shooting guard <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kennalu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Luke Kennard</a>, who would make the Mavs younger and provide depth. In exchange, Detroit would get a veteran shooter who has finished in the league’s top-10 in 3-point makes five times in his career, though giving up Jackson and Kennard would obviously be a lot for an expiring contract.</p>
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<p>Matthews is making 42.9 percent of his 3-pointers this season, and has made 38.3 percent in a 10-year career in which he’s played for the Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers and Mavs. Matthews also has 32 playoff games under his belt, a positive for a Detroit team that is trying to make it back to the postseason but lacks experience.</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/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>1. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=hardati01,hardati02&search=Tim+Hardaway&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tim Hardaway</a> Jr.</h3>
<p>Hardaway currently ranks fifth in the NBA in 3-point attempts and sixth in 3-point makes, and he’s connecting on 35.5 percent of his tries.</p>
<p>The son of five-time All-NBA and five-time All-Star point guard Tim Hardaway is putting up All-Star type numbers himself this season, leading the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/14/detroit-pistons-3-point-shooters-target-trade/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/">New York Knicks</a> in scoring at 23.2 points per game. He’s already had three games of 30-plus points this season.</p>
<p>Detroit could offer Reggie Jackson for Hardaway straight up and it would work under the salary cap, but the Knicks would presumably also want draft picks as their seemingly never-ending rebuild drags on. As they look to make a splash in free agency, Jackson’s contract may not be very appealing to New York, however, especially with THJ in the middle of a breakout year.</p>
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<p>If the Knicks could be enticed with a different offer, however, Hardaway wouldn’t just be a plug-and-play shooter for Detroit. He’s a legitimately solid overall player who would make the Pistons better immediately and give them another pure scoring threat, not just a shooter.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">