NBA Draft 2011: Detroit Pistons Trading Down from No. 8?

During this time of year, the rumor mill is in full force. Everyone's name is on the table, and all teams are involved.

However, most of the talk that circulates, like in life, is untrue.

Sometimes teams are throwing out misinformation in order to scare other teams into showing their hand. Sometimes teams are gauging the fans response to an actual plan. Sometimes general managers are bored and want to get us sportswriters going (probably not, but who knows?).

Regardless, one of the rumors circulating about the Detroit Pistons has grabbed my attention, and it bears some serious consideration in my humble opinion.

Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Detroit is talking with Houston about trading down in the draft. For those playing at home, the Rockets own both the 14th and 23rd picks in this year's draft.

OK, before we start freaking out and discussing who needs to get fired, let's think about this for a second.

Yeah, I know, Kemba Walker would look great in a Pistons jersey. Heck, Kawhi Leonard might even be in play with his slashing ability on offense and excellent defense.

Joe Dumars knows this too, which is why he apparently is asking Houston to wait until he knows who will be available at eight.

This leads to a couple of possibilities. One, Dumars is looking long and hard at Kemba, but he doesn't know what Sacramento is going to do. The Kings also like Walker, but apparently they like Jimmer Fredette as well.

Second, Dumars is looking at players other than Leonard that he likes. It is pretty obvious to me that Houston is targeting Leonard.

They aren't trying to move into the top five, which leaves Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter and Jan Vesely out of the picture. They are set at power forward and shooting guard, so they don't have eyes on Klay Thompson or Alec Burks, and both Morris brothers are probably off of their radar.

Leonard fills a big need at small forward for Houston (as well as Detroit).

So if Dumars is talking trade with them, he isn't necessarily thinking about Leonard. Or, maybe he thinks Leonard will go higher. Regardless, let's take a look at some possibilities.

Say Walker goes off the board at No. 7. Detroit can trade back, allowing Houston to take Leonard. The Pistons can then take Bismack Biyombo, or Markieff Morris or maybe even Tristan Thompson at No. 14.

Then, depending on how things shake out, they could make a move on Darius Morris at 23, or maybe Tobias Harris or even Jordan Hamilton if he falls to them.

Now I know, Leonard's defensive ability is an exciting possibility given how soft this team has become. Let's look at another possibility that may appease those fans.

Say Detroit isn't as in love with Biyombo as some of us have become. They likely will have the option of drafting Chris Singleton, who by all accounts is a better defender than Leonard, at 14.

This would allow them to take a chance on a project big man like Jeremy Tyler at 23 or Nikola Mirotic. Or, as I would instruct them to do, make a move on Morris to shore up the point guard spot.

Regardless, this is shaping up to be quite the interesting draft! Stay tuned!