As we glide closer to the halfway mark of the NBA season, it's pretty clear that the Detroit Pistons aren't contenders. At 14-25, they are four games out of the eighth seed and Blake Griffin will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. It's why players like Luke Kennard have found themselves mentioned in trade rumors.
Even if the Pistons managed to make the playoffs, they wouldn't last long in a potential series. In that case, it's probably in their best interest to blow up the roster and build for the future.
If that comes to fruition, the Philadelphia 76ers could be in luck. The 76ers have reported interest in Pistons Langston Galloway and Kennard. The latter of the two could be a game-changer for Philadelphia if they can land him.
Kennard was a decent role player in his first two years with Detroit. However, in his third season, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard has taken his game to the next level. The 23-year-old is averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. Kennard is also a sharpshooter from outside knocking down 40 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.
If the 76ers have one weakness, it's floor spacing. Without any high-volume elite shooters, Philadelphia desperately needs a player like Kennard. The team ranks 21st in the NBA in three-pointers per game and Kennard would certainly help improve that.
At 23 years old, Luke Kennard is still young and improving. He may never become a star but it's clear that the former Duke star could transform into one of the best shooters in the NBA. Since he is still so young, the Pistons may be reluctant to get rid of him but if they want to commit to a rebuild, Kennard could bring a lot in return.
The 76ers came into the season with championship aspirations. They've fallen short of expectations thus far but definitely have the talent to rise back up the Eastern Conference standings. A player like Kennard would remedy the team's biggest weakness while giving them a possible budding star to build with in the future.
To get Kennard, the 76ers would likely have to get rid of some of their depth and/or future assets. It's certainly a risk especially since the 76ers already have talent at his position. But, with the team reportedly showing interest, it's clear that they feel like they lack a certain type of player.
The middle of the Eastern Conference standings is getting pretty crowded. Instead of middling among the third through six seeds, a move for a player like Luke Kennard could give the 76ers the push they need to rise up in the standings.
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