Potential blockbuster trade alert.
Just kidding.
What, you didn’t think I was serious, did you? From now on, assume everyone who says that is kidding. There has been so much action early on—significant, blockbuster action, mind you—it’s incredibly unlikely that any deals ahead of the February 19 trade deadline will fall into that category. More likely than not, they’ll be small-scale transactions.
Like Norris Cole to the Detroit Pistons, for instance.
According to Northeast Ohio Media Group’s Chris Haynes, the Pistons are interested in acquiring the Miami Heat point man:
The Detroit Pistons are looking into the possibility of trading for Miami Heat point guard Norris Cole, league sources tell Northeast Ohio Media Group.
Miami has sent the word out that the 26-year-old defensive specialist can be had. There’s nothing imminent at this point and talks have been described as “exploratory,” a source said. …
“We definitely got to get a third point guard, there’s no question,” said Stan Van Gundy, the team’s head coach and President of Basketball Operations. “To go out and get a guy who would be a huge difference maker, you probably have to give up something that would hurt you down the road.
“We’re not in panic time here. We’re not going to do that and be sitting here in the summer kicking ourselves for trying to do something short-term that would hurt us in the long-term.”
Stan Van Gundy is a smart dude (see: Him waiving Josh Smith’s massive contract), so he’s not going to overpay. The Pistons do need another point guard in the wake of Brandon Jennings’ Achilles injury, but it’s not like they’re tops in the Eastern Conference. There’s no reason to panic. If they miss the playoffs, they miss the playoffs. Going overboard now only gives them a better chance at snagging one of the East’s final two playoff spots.
The reward of doing that? A first-round exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks or Washington Wizards or Chicago Bulls or Toronto Raptors or even the Cleveland Cavaliers. No sense in mortgaging the future for that finish.
Which is why the interest in Cole makes sense. He’s not having an especially good season. The Heat have been statistically better without him on both sides of the ball, per NBA.com, the real surprise being he hasn’t impacted their defense. He was viewed as a defensive specialist during the LeBron James era; his vulnerabilities on that end of the floor have really come to light this season.
Landing him, then, should cost contract fodder or a second-round pick. Anything more, and the Pistons would be overpaying. And they won’t overpay. Not when Cole isn’t even the ideal fit. He is an average three-point shooter at best, is not known for his spot-up prowess and has yet to establish himself as a reliable playmaker.
At the right price, again, he can fill some of the void left by Jennings. But if he does in fact wind up on the Pistons, it will be because Pat Riley wanted nothing of note in return.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
