The Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons reportedly held trade talks centered around Kemba Walker, Tobias Harris and a first-round pick.
According to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Pistons offered Tobias Harris and a first round pick for Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The Charlotte Hornets were reportedly shopping their all-star point guard prior to the trade deadline but have since taken him off of the trade block. It was previously reported that the Pistons were interested in trading for Kemba.
With Charlotte refusing the offer, Detroit ended up making a blockbuster trade by acquiring Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pistons sent Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a first-round pick and a second-round pick to LA in exchange for Griffin, Brice Johnson and Willie Reed.
Vincent Ellis added that Detroit has been shopping Tobias for some time. They were eventually able to move the 25-year old who is having a career-year. Harris was probably the Pistons’ highest-rated asset.
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Tobias Harris is averaging 18.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists this season while shooting 45.1% from the field, 40.9% from three and 84.6% from the free throw line. He was leading Detroit in scoring before being dealt and will now be joining his fourth different team in seven years.
Even though he is having a career-best season, Charlotte obviously didn’t think Harris was a good enough return for their all-star point guard. It was reported that they were not only looking for a young player or a pick but also salary cap relief for one of their larger contracts like Nicolas Batum, MKG, Dwight Howard or Marvin Williams.
If I had to guess, I think the Hornets would’ve been interested in getting Harris in a potential deal. If Detroit would’ve offered Harris, Bradley and a first (like they did to LA), Charlotte may have accepted that deal or, at the very least, considered it more than the original offer.
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It’s unclear how far the trade talks between the Pistons and Hornets got but it obviously wasn’t that serious. Still, it’s interesting to see how other teams value Kemba and what Charlotte could potentially get for him in a trade.