Brandon Jennings sent to Pistons in sign-and-trade for Brandon Knight

All moves made by the Detroit Pistons this offseason need to be viewed with an eye toward what the team lacks: their own 2014 first-round draft pick if it’s not within the top eight. The Pistons let that pick go a year ago to lose Ben Gordon in a trade that freed up the cap space to grab Josh Smith. The trade was almost like a payday loan: the Bobcats gave the Pistons the opportunity for cap space in 2013 instead of 2014 in exchange for a protected first.

So unless the Pistons were really going to suck, there’s no reason for Detroit to hold back.

The deal comes despite Detroit general manager Joe Dumars publicly dismissing any talks involving Jennings earlier this summer. Jennings was asking for more than the Bucks were willing to give him and appeared ready to accept a qualifying offer that would pay him $4.5 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Jennings averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 assists for Milwaukee last season. Knight averaged 13.3 points and 4.0 assists per game last year, his second NBA season.

But why hasn’t he received a larger offer from another NBA squad? He did average 17.5 points and 6.5 assists last season and still has room to grow.

Coach Nick of BBallBreakdown looked at Jennings’ problems as a player and found that he’s simply not that attractive as a point guard signing in a free agency period that’s all but dried up.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports was first to report Detroit’s interest in Rondo.

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Brandon Jennings isn’t happy. The point guard is reportedly becoming increasingly agitated with the lack of action from the Bucks or other teams as he twists in the wind of restricted free agency. Jeff Teague, who suddenly seems inextricably entwined with Jennings, got a decent offer sheet with the Bucks late last week; the Hawks matched. The Bucks also reacquired Jennings’ old partner Luke Ridnour last week, and let Monta Ellis barrel down to Dallas.

Jennings is apparently waiting for Milwaukee to make a fat offer that apparently isn’t coming. Meanwhile, teams are running out of salary cap space. Atlanta and Dallas were the spots that made the most sense, and they went other directions. (It must really chafe Jennings to see Teague preferred by two teams, the Bucks and the Hawks.)

Milwaukee has already shown a willingness to toss out reasonably large contracts.

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Earlier in the free agency period, it appeared that Jennings would return to Milwaukee, as he proclaimed that he had “unfinished business” to take care of. Furthermore, it also appeared as if the Bucks wanted to retain Jennings.

But because of Drew’s prior relationship with Teague, the Bucks began to show interest in a reunion. Stein reports that the talks haven’t yet hit the “serious” stage.

Brandon Jennings told the Milwaukee Bucks the salary he’d require in order to stay with the team, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears. The actual figure is undisclosed, so who knows whether it was a reasonable offer or some exorbitant figure meant to scare Milwaukee off. Jennings has basically tipped off that he’s interested in coming back to Milwaukee, so it’s probably closer to the former.

The Bucks have said they’re intent on bringing Jennings back, whether via negotiation or by matching any offer sheet the restricted free agent signs with another team. If they means what they said -- that they’ll match any offer sheet he signs with another team -- they’d presumably meet Jennings’ salary demand as well.

Jennings tweeted out Sunday night that he has “unfinished business” in Milwaukee, and he told Broussard in an email that he wants to be an All-Star with the Bucks:

The Bucks have extended Jennings a $4.3 million qualifying offer, officially making him a restricted free agent. Jennings could sign that and become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, but he’s in line for a nice payday this summer.