Detroit Pistons backup point guard Brandon Jennings has been a target of many trade rumors this season. Coming off a torn Achilles, Jennings has enjoyed some success in his return, bringing some consistency to a Pisons’ bench in dire need of it. That will surely lead to even more teams expressing interest in trading for the 26-yaer-old.
Jennings, for his part, expressed his desire to stay in Detroit, despite hearing the trade rumors surrounding him (via David Mayo):
We’ll see. I don’t know. I hope so. So we’ll see….I can’t really get away from (the rumors) because it’s all on my Twitter feed every time I tweet something. But it’s rumors. It’s something that I’m not worried about. I just want to play basketball and I’m just blessed to be healthy again.
Jennings is certainly saying the right things regarding the rumors. He is also correct in wanting to stay in Detroit. The guard’s current role is perfectly suited for both his game and his attempts to get readjusted to the game following his injury. The Pistons can also use his talents, especially with regards to their bench woes. Head coach Stan Van Gundy certainly sees the value of keeping Jennings with the team:
Our plan, right now, is that Brandon can help us make a playoff push, and that’s what we’re going to do. That’s our plan right now. If something happens in the next five weeks, we’ll look at it. But right now, he’s a very good player who can help us, and that’s the only way we’re looking at him.
Van Gundy seems to not be dismissing all rumors by any means. He will look at offers that he thinks will help the Pistons both this season and the next. However, it is clear that he wants to keep Jennings on the team if no clear-cut great trade comes along. Jennings gives the Pistons an experienced player who can create his own shot and score, which is something they need especially off the bench. Jennings has seemingly been fine with his new role as a sixth man and both parties seem to be benefiting from it.
