NBA Trade Deadline Targets: Arron Afflalo

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Detroit Pistons are right in the middle of trade discussions. Who would look good in the Pistons’ red and blue?  Who could be packing their bags to a new hometown?

There are four weeks until the deadline, and each week until then, Horsepower will be informing you on potential deals the Pistons could make.

This week features a former Piston and one of the most under appreciated players in the entire league.

Afflalo played four years at UCLA under former head coach Ben Howland.  He was drafted 27th overall by Detroit in the 2007 draft.  He spent two seasons in Detroit before he was shipped to Denver for a future second round draft pick.

Afflalo spent three season in Denver until he was traded again to the Orlando Magic as part of a four-way trade that put Dwight Howard in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.

This is now Afflalo’s second season in Orlando and he has slowly become one of the league’s best shooting guards. This season he has played in 42 games, where he is averaging 20 points per game, 3.7 assists per game and 4.3 rebounds per game.

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What Would the Deal Look Like?

The Pistons have a lot of assets this season that opposing teams would surely covet.  The first piece the Pistons would have to get rid of would be Charlie Villanueva.

Failing to live up to expectations after signing a five-year, $37 million deal, Villanueva is more than expendable. He is averaging less than 10 minutes per game and spends more time than not sitting at the end of Maurice Cheeks’ bench.

Aside from Villanueva, the Pistons would have to part ways with the emerging Kyle Singler and point guard Will Bynum.

Here is what the final trade could look like.

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Why the Deal Would Help Detroit?

The Pistons would gladly take back their former property and potential all-star. With Josh Smith and Greg Monroe often times unable to create space, Afflalo would immediately help spread the floor.

Afflalo is shooting 42 percent from three-point range this season, which would be second-best on the Pistons aside from Tony Mitchell who is 1-1 from downtown.

Afflalo would step in as the starting shooting guard and allow Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to get some experience coming off the bench.

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Why the Deal Would Help Orlando?

Orlando is the second-worst team in the NBA with a record of 12-34.  Afflalo is having a great season, but he has a few years left on his contract and they could be looking to get pieces in return for his services while his value is at a peak.

Villanueva would most likely be the centerpiece of this deal because his expiring contract offers Orlando future financial flexibility. An expiring contract is not enough to get a potential all-star, which is why Singler and Bynum would also have to be involved.

Singler has been one of the bright spots for Detroit this season. Singler is averaging 8.5 points per game and 3.5 assists per game. Singler has been one of Cheeks’ favorite targets off the bench due to his hustle, three-point shooting and ability to play several different positions.

Singler is only 25 years-old and offers a lot of the same skills Afflalo does, only at a much lower price.

Bynum would also fit the Magic well, as they do not have many point guard options behind Jameer Nelson. Bynum could offer the Magic some veteran leadership and also teach rookie Victor Oladipo some tricks to driving to the rim.

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Could It Happen?

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, many teams have been calling about Afflalo, and the Magic (for now) are saying no. This is probably just a smokescreen, but the Magic do have other pieces they could trade before Afflalo.

There is no reason for the Magic not to be sellers this deadline, but I would not expect to see Afflalo in a Detroit uniform anytime soon. The Pistons will not want to include Monroe, Smith or Jennings in a deal for Afflalo and they do not have any first-round picks to offer in a trade.

The Pistons have a lot of good pieces available, but Orlando can do better than what Detroit could offer.


Cameron Billes is the host of Horsepower for Impact Sports.