Pistons reportedly expected to have surprising trade-deadline strategy

The Detroit Pistons have become the NBA’s biggest punchline, having lost their 22nd consecutive game on Friday night. In spite of this, they may be eyeing up a fairly surprising trade-deadline strategy.

The Pistons are expected to be active at the deadline in trying to acquire a forward, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. The franchise is thought to have interest in Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby, and could also take a look at trading for Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers, who is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

It is not really clear what the Pistons would be trying to do by trading for a veteran forward. Either Anunoby or Harris would certainly upgrade the roster, but it is not as if this is a team on the fringes of the playoff race. Anunoby is at least young enough to be a piece to build around if they could convince him to commit long-term, but it's very difficult to see how giving up young players or draft picks for the 31-year-old Harris helps the Pistons now or in the future. In addition, neither player really helps fix the Pistons’ lack of shooting, which has become a major issue.

Other reports have suggested that the Pistons are reluctant to part with one of the few veterans on their team with any real trade value. They still seem to have the mentality of a team that expects to push for a playoff spot, even though that is little more than a pipe dream after a 2-23 start to the season.