The Detroit Pistons reportedly are discussing a trade with the Miami Heat for guard Norris Cole. The Pistons, who're believed to be searching for a replacement for injured guard Brandon Jennings, were also recently linked to New York Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni.
Detroit (17-29) found new life after releasing Josh Smith and is purportedly looking to acquire a serviceable point guard to fill in for Jennings, whose season ended last week after he tore his left Achilles tendon. According to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com, one of Detroit's targets is Cole.
"The Detroit Pistons are looking into the possibility of trading for Miami Heat point guard Norris Cole, league sources tell Northeast Ohio Media Group," Haynes wrote Tuesday night. "Miami has sent the word out that the 26-year-old defensive specialist can be had. There's nothing imminent at this point and talks have been described as 'exploratory,' a source said."
It's uncertain what price Miami would ask for Norris, who's averaging 6.2 points and 3.3 assists per game, or how much Detroit would be willing to give for him. The Pistons are only two games out from the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, and team coach and president Stan Van Gundy acknowledged he would likely try to bring in another point guard.
"We definitely got to get a third point guard, there's no question," Van Gundy said, via Cleveland.com. "To go out and get a guy who would be a huge difference maker, you probably have to give up something that would hurt you down the road.
"We're not in panic time here. We're not going to do that and be sitting here in the summer kicking ourselves for trying to do something short-term that would hurt us in the long-term."
According to Haynes, Detroit's plan is "to acquire a short-term option and evaluate that player at the end of the season."
Detroit is also reportedly exploring a possible trade for Prigioni.
