Chris Wilcox trade ideas

A year ago, the Pistons held a decently valuable trade chip – Kwame Brown. He was a serviceable big man on an affordable, expiring contract. At the time, it was already pretty clear he didn’t fit into the Pistons’ long-term plans, so there wouldn’t have been harm in dealing him.

The Pistons didn’t trade Brown and let him walk in the summer.

This year, they have another player in a similar situation – Chris Wilcox. Will Detroit take advantage this time?

Probably not, but let’s look at options, just in case.

The most obvious trade possibilities for Wilcox would be trading him for a better player who’s signed past this season. Detroit’s trading partner would get salary relief, and the Pistons would get talent. But because Karen Davidson is selling the Pistons, there’s basically no chance she’d approve a deal like that.

But that still leaves two types of teams who might have interest in Wilcox and could make an offer that would appease Davidson and Joe Dumars.

Contenders

Almost every team trying to advance in the playoffs this season could use an extra big man. You can never have enough. Wilcox would provide that without making a team commit to long-term salary.

A few ideas:

• Celtics: Chris Wilcox for Marquis Daniels and a pick
• Hawks: Chris Wilcox for a trade exception and a pick
• Magic: Chris Wilcox for a trade exception and a pick
• Mavericks: Chris Wilcox for a trade exception and a pick
• Lakers: Chris Wilcox for a trade exception and a pick
• Hornets: Chris Wilcox for a trade exception and a pick
• Bulls: Chris Wilcox for a pick
• Knicks: Chris Wilcox for Corey Brewer

Long-term contract clearers

The Pistons could trade Wilcox and Jason Maxiell for a player making less than $8 million (the combined salary of Wilcox and Maxiell) and who’s more valuable than Maxiell, who has three years and $15 million remaining on his contract. If Karen Davidson is confident she can sell the team before next season, she might approve a trade like this. Such a deal would lower Davidson’s costs this year, but if she doesn’t sell the team, raise the payroll for future seasons.

The trading partner would save money after this season, when Wilcox expires.

A few possibilities:

• Hawks: Chris Wilcox and Jason Maxiell for Marvin Williams
• Suns: Chris Wilcox and Jason Maxiell for Josh Childress
• Bucks: Chris Wilcox and Jason Maxiell for Drew Gooden and Jon Brockman
• Pacers: Chris Wilcox and Jason Maxiell for James Posey and a pick
• Raptors: Chris Wilcox and Jason Maxiell for Leandro Barbosa and a pick

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