Feb 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) points that it is Pistons ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
What will the Detroit Pistons do at the trade deadline? Are you ready to embrace Tobias Harris’ move to the bench? Check out what we have to say about that and more!
As the trade deadline draws near many are wondering what the Pistons might do. Truthfully, our answers might depend on what day it is given the up and down nature of this team, but we will do our best to try and look into our crystal ball and see what’s going to happen.
Now, on to the questions.
Are you ready to embrace Tobias Harris as a reserve?
Braden Shackelford:
Reluctantly. Harris is a true pro–doesn’t matter if he starters or comes off the bench, he’s going to put his best foot forward. While I think the move to the bench has helped stabilize the second unit, I wonder if he’s willing to accept this role long-term. If not, I doubt he chooses to stay in Detroit on his next contract and quite frankly, I don’t think he’s a piece the Pistons can easily replace. Not yet anyways. That said, it’s evident the Pistons are starting to gel and inserting him back into the starting lineup would seriously jeopardize the cohesion this team has been forming.
Duncan Smith:
Absolutely. Tobias Harris is very well-suited as the sixth man of this team. His ability to create his own offense and score in a variety of ways has been a huge benefit to the bench. It’s no coincidence that his production took a big leap forward when he and Jon Leuer switched roles.
Brandon Marlow:
Yes. I was initially sceptical of sending Tobias Harris to the bench, but I think over time it’s proven to be a solid decision. With Stanley Johnson not having a huge impact and the rest of the reserves being relatively lacklustre, the bench has been hurting for firepower and is 26th in the league (30.5 points per game) this season. In games where he starts off the bench, Harris can be relied upon for around 15 points a night, which gives the Pistons a far better chance of not having the game run away from them when the starters sit. However, I’d like to see Stan Van Gundy experiment with the starting lineup a little more depending on who the team is playing and have Harris, Marcus Morris and Jon Leuer each coming off the bench at times depending who the Pistons face.
Jan 8, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy looks up at the stat board in the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Do the Pistons will make a move before the trade deadline?
Shackelford:
Only if they get considerably better in the deal. We’ve seen the Pistons’ willingness to pull the trigger on deals that improve the team long-term, playoffs and chemistry be damned. I think that blue print is probably cemented in Stan Van Gundy and Jeff Bower’s philosophical approach to building the team. The only way I could see the Pistons deviating from this is if a deal for Jackson presents itself that really catches their eyes. With all the trade chatter surrounding him, I wonder how seriously the Pistons have considered moving him and what their long-term vision is for him. If Jackson is packaged in a deal that nets a formidable point guard and a future first round pick (though extremely unlikely) I wouldn’t be shocked to see him moved.
More to the point, I don’t think the Pistons make a move.
Smith:
Reggie Jackson is likely in play, but the Pistons are likely better served in getting through this season with him and giving him the summer to let his knee heal up. It’s no secret that he hasn’t been playing well, but I think that can very easily be traced back to lingering knee pain. Making a big trade will likely deplete the Pistons ability to add young talent (such as giving up a first round draft pick or two) in the near future, and considering the Pistons veterans are pretty much locked in for years, the draft will be an essential avenue to accumulate talent.
Marlow:
I’m not sure that the Pistons will make any moves before the trade deadline this season. Having said that, Stan Van Gundy has made decisions around the deadline in both of his seasons at the helm of the Pistons, so there is precedent set for a forthcoming move. The Pistons have also been mentioned in numerous trade rumours recently. Rumours have suggested the New Orleans Pelicans were interested in Reggie Jackson and rumours have been swirling all season long about Aron Baynes being offloaded. None of these rumours have seemed particularly beneficial for the Pistons, but you would be foolish to completely count out Stan Van Gundy come deadline day.
Feb 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Should the Pistons make a move before the trade deadline?
Shackelford:
I don’t think so. There have been so many variables all season (Reggie Jackson’s injury and return, Harris in and out of the starting lineup, Ish Smith and Stanley Johnson’s role, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s injury to name a few). Mixing up personnel yet again seems like a giant risk for a team that’s been playing much better of late. Let’s see what this Pistons’ team at full strength looks like.
Smith:
Other than testing the market to try and get some value for Aron Baynes before he walks for nothing this summer, I think the Pistons should stand pat. Trying to squeeze something out of one of the league’s buyers in need of a big should probably be the main priority.
Marlow:
If the right deal comes along I think the Pistons would be foolish to not make a deal before the trade deadline. Most of Stan Van Gundy’s personnel decisions have been spot-on since coming into power, so I’d trust him to get the most out of any deal that takes place. On the other hand, I don’t want to see the Pistons make a deal just for the sake of it.
The team seems to be building some momentum as it makes a run for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and messing with that chemistry could result in the Pistons falling back into the lottery.
More from PistonPowered
This article originally appeared on 
