Trade up for a top prospect? Trade down for more assets? Swing away at No. 7?
It's all on the table for the Pistons in the final two weeks before the NBA Draft.
"We’re definitely looking at everything," general manager Troy Weaver said Thursday when asked about the possibility of a trade. "We’re in a situation where we’re trying to get the best players and replenish the cupboard.
"Everything’s on the table, so absolutely we would entertain that sort of scenario.”
Uncertainty abounds in this year's draft. Not only are teams working with less scouting intel due to COVID-19, but the top prospects aren't considered can't-miss players. The first 10 picks could go any number of ways, said Weaver.
For the Pistons, that might be incentive to trade down. The Celtics could be a natural partner with their three first-round picks. Detroit's also looking to add a second-rounder, Weaver said. But if there's a player the Pistons like higher up the board -- LaMelo Ball, anyone? -- Weaver sounds willing to go get him.
"I always look at the draft with a glass half-full. Yeah, you may not have a Zion Williamson or a Ja (Morant) but there's guys in the draft that we really like," Weaver said. "The draft is always great because you have a chance to bring these young men in your program and help shape your culture from day on one.
"So we really like the draft. Yeah, moving up is definitely an option as well."
Ball is an intriguing name. The Pistons got an 'early look' at him last season when he was playing professionally in Australia prior to a foot injury, and the LA native has been training in Detroit during the pandemic under the tutelage of former Piston Jermaine Jackson.
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Weaver said the Pistons are planning to schedule a meeting with Ball in the next couple weeks. The draft takes place Nov. 18.
"I'm always happy to hear players embrace our organization, our city. That never goes unnoticed," Weaver said. "I know people around him, his trainer is a Detroit native, so I'm sure he's well-versed in the city from traveling around, being with his trainer and hearing different things.
"So, no, that doesn't go unnoticed and that's always a positive when prospects speak highly of the city and the organization."
The Pistons, given their long-term need at the position, have also been linked to fellow point guards Tyrese Haliburton and Killian Hayes. Haliburton was averaging 15.2 points and shooting 42 percent from three before a fractured wrist ended his sophomore season at Iowa State.
"He was having a tremendous season until his injury," Weaver said this summer. "He is a poised young man and I look forward to getting to continue to study him. But like I've said from the beginning, we don’t draft players, we draft people. And he’s a tremendous young man and has tremendous upside."
Haliburton will likely be available at No. 7. Same for Hayes. Ball will likely be gone. Who knows what that might mean for the Pistons, who are keeping their options open entering a draft with their highest pick since 2007.
Weaver did say this summer he expects more picks to be on the move than usual in an uncertain financial landscape. Don't be surprised if the Pistons join the fray.
"I think teams will definitely look at it, because of financial restraints going forward, and we just don’t know what the cap’s going to be, and just a lot of moving parts. But teams will definitely look to move picks," Weaver said. "A lot of people don’t deem it to be a deep draft, so I’m sure teams will be very busy trying to use their draft pick as a tool in their trade box."