Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings (L) drives past Boston Celtics' Evan Turner. (Photo : Getty Images)
One of the loudest NBA trade rumors at the moment is concerning Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings, who is still recuperating from the Achilles injury he suffered against his former Milwaukee Bucks team in a regular season game last January.
The premise of the rumors is the Pistons' recent acquisition of Reggie Jackson, who was signed to a five-year, $80 million contract (up to $18.1 million annually in his final year), one of the richest in franchise history, via a three-team trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder with the Utah Jazz in February.
To give context, Jennings' contract is at three years and $24 million (up to $8.3 million in his final year) and that contract is actually expiring this season. With that kind of investment on Jackson, both in time and money, it is easy to see that the 26-year-old Jennings is becoming the odd man out in Detroit.
Furthermore, Sports World Report indicated that because the 25-year-old Jackson was ably filling in for Jennings on the court as Detroit's starting point guard and also easily building chemistry and relationships with his teammates off it, the Pistons are allegedly looking to trade the 2010 NBA All-Rookie First Teamer.
Again, adding that to the abovementioned monetary and length of service investment by the Pistons, it is not surprising if Jennings will be dealt immediately after he returns from injury reportedly before Christmas this December.
Jennings is also included in Yardbarker's list of "The 15 NBA players most likely to be traded this season." The article mentioned that "Jennings will be traded sooner than later" because the "Pistons have invested long-term in Reggie Jackson as their starting point guard."
One thing that is preventing Detroit from reaching out to other NBA teams for a deal is Jennings' injury. Until he can come back on the court and show everyone that he can still play at top level, his trade value would not be as high.
And so the waiting game continues for the Pistons.
