LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers will never stop chasing stars. As long as the Lakers continue to look for ways to capitalize on the future Hall of Famer’s presence, they will continue to target other stars to share the court with the James and Anthony Davis duo.
Stephen Curry is the latest NBA star to be involved in a hypothetical trade scenario that would send him to the Lakers. Bleacher Report Eric Pincus imagined a blockbuster four-team deal involving Curry, the Detroit Pistons were thrown into the mix of the chimerical dream.
The Pistons wouldn’t get a star in a hypothetical scenario, but they would gain two veteran players with plenty of experience.
Dennis Schroder, 30, has been in the NBA since his debut with the Atlanta Hawks in 2013. At this point, Schroder is in the midst of a rebuild with the Brooklyn Nets. Last year, he averaged 15 points and six assists in 29 games in Brooklyn. Before that, he averaged 14 points and six assists per game in 51 games with the Toronto Raptors. In a backup role, Schroder could be a decent temporary contributor.
Then there’s a possible reunion with Christian Wood. Another player who played in the league, Wood played 62 games with the Pistons during the 2019-20 season. He averaged 13 points and six rebounds off the bench. His 57% shooting percentage remains a career best.
Wood followed up his run with the Pistons with an impressive series with the Houston Rockets, averaging over 20 points and nearly double figures each night. Since then, he’s had series with the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers. Last year’s series in Los Angeles didn’t go the way Wood had imagined.
In that scenario, draft capital would be critical for Detroit. Two second-round picks in 2025 would be the best payoff as the Pistons remain on a rebuilding path heading into next year.
As much as the Lakers would love for the Warriors, Nets and Pistons to make that kind of deal, it’s hard to imagine the Warriors would be willing to trade their future Hall of Famer for a package centered around Austin Reaves and Ben Simmons. And with the Warriors reportedly signed one-year extension for CurryThey seem determined to continue building around him.
