The clock has officially started ticking on the 2024-25 NBA season. The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets will kick off their media days and first practices on September 24 and 25. These two teams will officially open the NBA season with a preseason game in Abu Dhabi on October 4 and 6. The other 28 teams will follow suit, holding their media days on September 30 and their first practices on October 1.

As teams prepare for the season, rumors continue to circulate, causing discussion among fans and analysts alike. According to Bleacher Report, the Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets are considering a possible three-way deal. In this mock trade, the Pistons would receive Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets would receive Cameron Johnson and Ziaire Williams, and the Nets would receive Isaiah Stewart, Tim Hardaway Jr. and two second-round picks.

But why would these teams consider such a deal? What are the potential pros and cons, and who would emerge victorious? Let’s dive into the details and examine the implications of this blockbuster trade.

With this fake deal, the Pistons sign Michael Porter Jr.

The good thing about this fake trade for the Nuggets, Pistons and Nets

On the surface, this mock trade offers benefits that align with both teams’ long-term goals. For the Nuggets, it provides significant financial flexibility, saving them about $6 million this season and about $34 million over the next two seasons. That extra salary space could be critical to retaining and building on their core trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. In terms of basketball, Johnson gives the Nuggets the same consistent three-point percentage and an improvement in playmaking (2.4 assists vs. Porter Jr.’s 1.5).

By signing Porter Jr. in that mock trade, the Pistons have gained a capable shooter who can help space the court and create more space for playmakers like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. The Pistons have made it a priority this offseason to improve their shooting percentage, as they ranked 29th in hits (11.0), 27th in attempts (31.7) and 26th in shooting percentage (.348) last season.

The Nets would benefit from signing Hardaway Jr., whose expiring contract could be used for additional draft assets. Stewart strengthens their frontcourt with a young, tough big man and emerging three-point shooter. Stewart’s growing offensive skills would complement Nic Claxton and potentially form a formidable frontcourt duo for the Nets.

The bad thing about this fake trade for the Nuggets, Pistons and Nets

For the Nuggets, trading Porter Jr. means losing their second-best rebounder. Last season, Porter Jr. averaged 7.0 rebounds per game, compared to Johnson’s 4.3. Although both made 39% of their three-point shots, Porter Jr. had a slight advantage with 0.6% better accuracy (.397 vs. .391). Porter Jr.’s unique ability to initiate offense sets him apart from Johnson, so this trade could affect the fluidity and versatility of Denver’s offense.

The Pistons face a different challenge. They have already invested heavily in long-range shooting by signing Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris and re-signing Simone Fontecchio. However, they have not significantly addressed their size needs. Although they did bring in 6-foot-1, 215-pound Paul Reed, there could be concerns about whether Reed is a sufficient replacement if Stewart is traded. Additionally, while Porter Jr. provides offensive firepower, he does not address the team’s defensive needs. Despite his improvements, Porter Jr. remains a defensive liability. While JB Bickerstaff could help him in that area, he does not yet fill the defensive gaps the Pistons need to fill.

The downside of this trade for the Nets is minimal. They are a team focused on acquiring expiring contracts to trade for draft capital, which this deal does. They also gain Stewart, an up-and-coming big man who will not be under immediate pressure during the team’s rebuilding phase. While a first-round pick would have been more desirable, this trade is still a win-win for the Nets.

The last word

This potential three-way mock trade presents interesting opportunities for both franchises, but it also carries risks. The Nuggets would gain financial flexibility but lose a key player in Michael Porter Jr. The Pistons could add another shooter to their arsenal with this mock trade, but questions remain about their size and defensive depth if they part with Isaiah Stewart. The Nets, meanwhile, benefit the most by gaining valuable assets without significant downside.

The success of the trade will depend on how teams capitalize on the strengths of their new players and fill the gaps in the players traded. As the season approaches, it will be exciting to see if this rumor changes the NBA landscape.