The Detroit Pistons may be looking to unload Stanley Johnson.
Per Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, the Pistons have brought out Johnson in some trade conversations, perhaps because he has not produced the way head coach Stan Van Gundy has liked. Van Gundy, it should be noted, is also the president of basketball operations in Detroit.
There just might be one small problem: Johnson's trade value is not exactly clear at this point, which could make him quite difficult to trade, per O'Connor.
Executives across the league value Johnson vastly differently. Ask one executive, and he’s considered a potential low-cost steal ready to be poached from the playoff-thirsty Pistons. Ask another, and he’s viewed similarly to P.J. Tucker, a fine player but one without significant trade value. Point guard Reggie Jackson isn’t treasured. Rookie Luke Kennard was drafted no. 12, but not all teams considered him anything close to a lottery pick. Van Gundy needs to do something, but whatever it is might end with the same unfortunate result.
Johnson is only 21 years old, so presumably, he has a lot of room to grow as his career progresses. But Van Gundy has apparently run out of patience, which is why he is looking for the best deal possible for him.
Johnson is averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 26.9 minutes per game. He is shooting only 35.1 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from the three-point line. Those are not good numbers at all for a player who was drafted eighth overall in 2015.
Follow Us
Subscribe