NBA Trade Watch: Exploring Jeremy Lin to Pistons Scenario

With Brandon Jennings out for the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles tendon injury, the Detroit Pistons are slowing seeing their playoff hopes slipping away. Backup point guard D.J Augustin hasn't quite filled the big hole left by Jennings as facilitator, prompting head coach and GM Stan Van Gundy to scour the market for a solid pick-and-roll playmaker.

According to reports, the Pistons have no plans in trading away Jennings, who proved himself as a part of the team's future by posting strong numbers (15.4 points and 6.6 assists per game) since waiving Josh Smith. However, Van Gundy is reportedly interested in adding a capable substitute that will help them stay in playoff contention after losing their last four games.

Analysts proposed several options to fix the Pistons' current point guard dilemma from trading for Miami Heat guard Norris Cole to gambling on a D-League guard (Lorenzo Brown, Peyton Siva and Seth Curry). But fans also have their own suggestions, though none is more intriguing than a potential Jeremy Lin to Pistons trade.

While Lin is having perhaps the worst season of his career (averaging at least 10 points and 4 assists per game) after losing his starting job 20 games into his Los Angeles Lakers tenure and then gradually losing his playing time to a rookie (Jordan Clarkson) as of late, there's no doubt that he remains an intriguing trade options out there.

Although his $8MM expiring contract seems a lot for any team to chew, Lin's reputation as an excellent pick-and-roll architect might pique the interest of the Pistons front-office, especially coach Van Gundy.

As proven by his exploits under Mike D'Antoni in New York, Lin usually thrives very well in a fast-paced free-flowing offense predicated on pick-and-roll plays and three-point shooting. The Pistons implement almost the system, with Andre Drummond serving as their anchor on both ends of the floor.

And unlike his situation with the Lakers, the Pistons don't only have a dominant center but a crafty power forward as well in Greg Monroe. Lin could easily make his presence felt right away by playing pick-and-roll with these two talented big men alone. Moreover, he could have all the freedom in the world to play his own brand of basketball without worrying of a ball-dominant wing player on the same backcourt (Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Kobe Bryant).

Sure, there's always a chance a gamble on Lin might not work. But still, there's little to lose in acquiring a player in the final year of his contract. Hence, Pistons will even benefit from the $8MM of cap space to be created by Lin's expiring deal. In short, it's low-risk, high-reward opportunity for the Pistons to strike.

Will this scenario take place? Unfortunately, it's very unlikely unless the Pistons are willing to give up something valuable in return (like multiple second-round picks) for possible a rental player in Lin.

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