The Pistons are off to rough start despite high expectation of becoming a playoff contender this season primarily because of the hiring of Stan Van Gundy as head coach and top front-office executive.
According to Basketball Insiders analysts Mary Stevens, the Pistons might be on the verge of making a big deal on trading front if the losing trend continues.
"They are off to a rough start so I wouldn't be surprised if he makes some moves before the trade deadline to help improve the team." Stevens said of Van Gundy's next plan to improve their lineup.
Before the season started, there were speculations that the Pistons were close to sending forward Josh Smith to the Sacramento Kings. However, the proposed trade never materialized mainly because the Pistons wanted more assets in return.
Smith, who signed a four-year, $54 million contract in 2013, continues to be a walking disaster for the Pistons. After averaging 16.4 points on 41 percent shooting and 26 percent from beyond the arc last season, J-Smoove has remained struggling on the floor (13.2 ppg on 36 percent field goal and 20 percent from deep) this year.
Spacing has always been the biggest problem for the Pistons these past two seasons, and it seems it won't be resolved unless Smith is moved to another team.
While the Kings have been the biggest surprise in this young season thanks to the emergence of DeMarcus Cousins as a dominant center, many analysts believe the team is a trade away to becoming a legit playoff contender in a very loaded Western Conference.
The power forward spot is viewed as the weakest spot in the Kings rotation. Jason Thompson is young talented player but he doesn't bring the two-way production Smith could bring for the Kings.
There's no doubt the Kings are going to do everything to become a relevant team once again since the Chris Webber era. Aside from dealing away their young big men, the Kings have to make sacrifices in including their precious draft picks for them to get this blockbuster trade work.
It will be a tricky transaction for both the Pistons and the Kings, but a deal could be finally hammered before the February 19 trade deadline.
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