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Continuing our "Trading Jeremy Lin" series, we have the Detroit Pistons obtaining the veteran playmaker with the Atlanta Hawks receiving Langston Galloway and Glenn Robinson III in exchange. In full tank mode, the Hawks are more concerned with rebuilding around their young core so Lin is going underutilized despite having a stellar season (at 54%, his eFG% is the highest of his nine years in the league). Meanwhile, sitting at 18-24, good for 10th in the Eastern conference standings, the Pistons are anxious to find out if their frontcourt tandem of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin is capable of playoff success — unfortunately, their playmaker Reggie Jackson seems to be a serious roadblock. Shooting 39% from the field and 33% from three while averaging just 4.2 assists per game, Jackson is an unideal third leg for an offense that could use a legitimate playmaker at point.
This trade gives Detroit a chance to more appropriately evaluate their roster during a playoff push with an actual playmaker at point who can both space the floor and run the pick-and-roll. Conversely, the Hawks gain two serviceable 36% career three-point shooters whose ages fit better with Atlanta's timeline. With just one year remaining on his contract, Galloway is an established, scoring combo guard who, at 27-years-old, can comfortably produce off the bench. Robinson, at 25-years-old, presents a traditional, young prospect at small-forward whose contract includes a team option for next season — minimizing the risk of his acquisition.