Grade the Trade: Mavericks land $39 million forward in 4-player mock deal

Grading the trade for the Detroit Pistons

Throughout the course of the offseason, Detroit has made some solid moves. The Pistons are still navigating the win-now versus rebuilding timeline, but appear to finally be on the right track.

Detroit acquired veteran guard Monte Morris from the Wizards and sharpshooter Joe Harris from the Nets, both via trade. Furthermore, the Pistons retained another plus shooter in Alec Burks.

In the draft, Detroit used its top selection on guard/forward Ausar Thompson - an incredible athlete who can play up to three positions. Later in the first round, Detroit selected an older collegiate guard in Marcus Sasser.

To clear a backcourt logjam, trading Killian Hayes does seem like the most likely outcome. He has had three seasons to show his worth, but his skillset overlaps with Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Thompson to an extent. He is a big guard who excels at playmaking but isn't the best shooter.

Swapping Bogdanovic and Hayes for Tim Hardaway Jr. and JaVale McGee is quite frankly a downgrade.

The positive from this trade would be adding draft compensation. As was discussed, the Pistons currently have eight future second-round picks. Adding another duo of picks almost puts them on Oklahoma City Thunder levels.

Detroit would still toe the line between a rebuild and a win-now squad. Their core is young, they have plenty of future draft picks, and they now have a nice collection of veteran assets.

Hardaway Jr. is three years younger than Bogdanovic and is owed $6 million less over this season and the next when both players' contracts run out. The difference isn't jarring, but Hardaway Jr. would certainly provide value to a young Pistons squad.

The addition of McGee wouldn't do much for Detroit, but he does add a veteran presence at 35 years old. For instance, Detroit's oldest big is Marvin Bagley, who's only 24 years old.

Similar to the Dallas roster makeup, Detroit lacks quality wing options beyond Bogdanovic and Burks.

Rather than swapping Bogdanovic for a player who is better suited as a shooting guard, trading for a wing who can defend both forward spots should be on the Detroit wishlist.

Potential starting lineup: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren

Detroit would receive a C+ for this trade. If this trade were to transpire, that means Detroit wouldn't get the first-round pick they were originally looking for. However, acquiring a first-rounder in exchange for a 34-year-old forward never seemed plausible.

Two future second-round draft picks will have to do. And such draft compensation seems just for a team sending out an above-average player who will be 36 by the time his contract runs out.

Giving up on Hayes at 22 years old may seem rash, but he hasn't shown much improvement over three seasons with ample playing time. His value might be higher now then it will be come next offseason.