The NBA trade deadline is approaching and several names continuing to circle the rumor miller as potentially being available. A number of teams are looking for another playmaker to add to the roster in order to push for the playoffs and Brandon Jennings has become a popular name to toss around in discussions. With Reggie Jackson thriving as the starter, will the Detroit Pistons move Jennings at the deadline?
Jennings is healthy and playing well since returning from his torn Achilles tendon suffered last year. The rumors have been flying that the Pistons were simply waiting to see if Jennings could return to form before shopping him and now that he has the team could try and capitalize on the demand in the market. However, head coach Stan Van Gundy told the media that Jennings was going nowhere.
"I got my email from [GM] Jeff [Bower] with all the discussions that have gone on and there was no mention of Brooklyn and no mention of Brandon," Van Gundy said, via the Detroit Free Press. "But the way you guys make [things] up at this time of year, it's always interesting to me to find out stuff that you guys know we're talking about that we don't know we're talking about. I find it interesting and amusing. 99.9% of the stuff that's out there will never happen, mostly because 98% of it is just made up."
The Brooklyn Nets are the latest team to show interest in Jennings. With Jarrett Jack out for the season, the team needs a point guard to upgrade over Donald Sloan and Shane Larkin. According to Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com, the Nets are willing to offer up Thaddeus Young in order to acquire Jennings. The Pistons might be interested in Young, but it is almost guaranteed that Jennings does not want to play in Brooklyn.
Jennings will be a free agent in the upcoming summer and the chances he re-signs with Detroit are slim. The same can be said about Brooklyn considering the team is about to enter a big rebuilding phase. Any team that acquires the point guard would only be getting a one-season rental as he will hit the market.
If Jennings is landing anywhere, the New York Knicks appear to be the best fit, although they have very little to entice the Pistons into a deal. ESPN's Ian Begley reports the Knicks are interested in Jennings either via trade or free agency and could offer Jose Calderon in a deal. The same can be said for the Dallas Mavericks who have inconsistency in Deron Williams.
The Pistons know they run the risk of losing Jennings for nothing in return. Jennings will not re-sign with the team as long as Jackson is the inserted starter. Making a trade now would not hurt, but getting a deal done might be tough depending on his price tag.
