Following the recent trade sending Jameer Nelson to the Motor City, the Detroit Pistons are looking to package the recently-acquired Brice Johnson and a second-round pick for the New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham, according to Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago.
Johnson was recently part of the blockbuster deal that sent Blake Griffin to the Pistons last month and has yet to find his footing within the rotation. As a result of trading away Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley, the Pistons have lost two of their key outside shooters and could use a marksman like Cunningham to plug in the void left by their absence.
The Pelicans haven't been able to get what they wanted out of Cunningham after sticking with him in the offseason, averaging a mere 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting only 44 percent from the floor and a measly 32.4 percent from deep — only a year after putting up a career-high 39.2 percent from distance.
By getting Johnson, they'd get a mobile, agile forward with good shot-blocking ability that can help fill the void left by DeMarcus Cousins after he ruptured his Achilles last month. While it's not a superstar player, the functionality and the scope of filling in minutes at the position would favor New Orleans in the long-run, getting a second-rounder for their troubles.
While this trade is still in discussions, it could benefit both teams that are looking to address needs before it's all said and done when the trade deadline hits in a few hours.
Follow Us
Subscribe