Desperate times call for desperate measures. At times, NBA teams get desperate too. Even a rebuilding team can make a win-now trade if they feel desperate enough.

The Detroit Pistons may be feeling that desperation. Who could blame them? This team has been rebuilding for far too long. They aren’t making any measurable progress.

The Pistons were the worst team in the NBA last year, and in 2023-24, they’re the worst team in the NBA again. Perhaps that’s why they’re being linked to some big-name players.

Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be advisable for a rebuilding team to make a trade for a veteran, but at this point, the Pistons may have to think outside of the box.

Could they make a move for Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers? 

NBA Trade Proposal: Detroit Pistons Land Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic, G/F Joe Harris

Detroit Pistons Receive: F Tobias Harris

There are benefits to losing games. That’s well-documented. Teams tank for lottery odds. Arguably, no team underwent a larger-scale tank job than the Process Sixers.

The Sixers deliberately lost games for years. The goal was to draft a handful of superstar players. Players like Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, and Jahill Okafor were allowed to prove that they could be franchise players. In the end, only Joel Embiid remains from that era of Sixers basketball.

Perhaps the Pistons have been tanking, too. They could tank again this season. On the other hand, there’s a diminishing return on tanking.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons Updates

Eventually, the Pistons need to build a winning culture around the talent that they’ve got now.

Could reuniting with Harris help them do that? 

Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal 

In win-now terms, this isn’t a no-brainer for the Pistons. They’re parting with Bogdanovic. He’s arguably a more dynamic offensive player than Harris. Will this deal really make the Pistons better?

It should. Harris is an unequivocally superior defender to Bogdanovic. For a young team trying to establish an identity, that’s critical.

On the other hand, there are benefits to making this deal that have nothing to do with winning basketball games for the Pistons. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons Updates

Harris and Harris are both on expiring contracts. Bogdanovic has an extra year on his deal. The Pistons could enter free agency with immense cap space next summer if they made this deal. Should the Sixers take on Bogdanovic’s contract?

Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal 

Harris may be a superior defender to Bogdanovic. That’s less important to the Sixers than it is to the Pistons. After all, the Sixers’ defense is anchored by Embiid.

Meanwhile, this deal vastly improves Philly’s floor spacing. Bogdanovic is a more reliable floor spacer than Harris, and a better shot creator as well.

Moreover, Joe Harris is one of the better shooters of his generation. The Sixers should be a more consistent threat from beyond the arc after making this move. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons Updates

They’ll also be deeper. The Sixers are adding two rotation players at the price of one in this deal. In the end, they’d have to at least consider this deal – if the Pistons are desperate enough to make it.

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