The Detroit Pistons have engaged the New York Knicks in trade talks involving shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., a league source tells ESPN's Ian Begley. From Begley's report:
"If you're looking for any clues regarding potential draft-night trades, here's one: the Detroit Pistons are said to have interest in trading for Tim Hardaway Jr. and have tried to engage the Knicks on a deal, per league sources. Detroit may be looking to move Brandon Jennings because the organization traded for fellow guard Reggie Jackson last season. Jackson will be a restricted free agent this summer."
After the report was released, Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reported that someone close to the Pistons said that this is just a rumor.
Prior to being taken 24th by the Knicks, Hardaway Jr. played for three years at Michigan University. He played a major role, along with Trey Burke (selected by the Jazz), in leading Michigan to the 2013 NCAA National Championship Game. Since then, Hardaway Jr. has averaged only 10.8 Points Per Game (PPG) over two NBA seasons. He has a respectable .358 shooting percentage from the 3 point line and has a .408 overall shooting percentage. He's struggled as a rebounder (2.8 RPG) and as an assist man (2.0 APG). Defensively, he is no big improvement over current projected Pistons starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Jennings, on the other hand, is still recovering from an Achilles injury. With the team expected to retain Reggie Jackson, then Jennings and his $8.3 Million left on his contract may become expandable, although his market is stilll largely unknown. The Pistons need some closure and certainty.
The trade makes a bit of sense for the Pistons, but not so much for the Knicks. Why would they take a chance on someone who's still recovering from an Achilles injury?