The Detroit Pistons are reportedly open to trade point guard Brandon Jennings to the New York Knicks for shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. on Thursday's draft night, according to ESPN.

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One reason why the Pistons wanted the swap is because of the emergence of Reggie Jackson, who was acquired via a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz from the Oklahoma City Thunder last February. Jackson had become Detroit's starting point guard, relegating Jennings as a substitute.

Jennings is due $8.3 million next season as a backup playmaker as against the $3.2 million salary of Jackson for 2015-2016. It is assumed that the motivation of the deal is to create more cap space for the Pistons.

The deal is not yet official as there are no clear indications that the Knicks would want to receive Jennings' salary without additional compensation as New York would also have to use their trade exception to push through with Detroit's proposal.

SB Nation reported that Stan Van Gundy may be looking for a more durable affordable and more durable shooting guard than two-year pro Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is due almost $2.8 million next season, and veteran Jodie Meeks, who was not effective last year because of injuries.

Hardaway Jr. comes in at a cheap $1.25 million, a lot cheaper than Caldwell-Pope, and at 23 years of age is much less injury prone than the 27-year-old Meeks. One of the two may have to go if indeed this deal takes place.

The former Michigan Wolverine is also statistically better than the two when it comes to offense and usage rate, which is said to be what's drawing Van Gundy to him.

However, Sports World Report mentioned that the Detroit coach denied having talks with Phil Jackson and the Knicks with regards to this trade speculation, saying that "some things at least might be overblown." But what is sure is that the team will keep Jackson probably as a primary backup at the no. 1 spot because they are reportedly eyeing either Goran Dragic or Rajon Rondo in free agency.

Another trivia worth mentioning with regards to this rumor is that Hardaway Jr.'s father, former Miami Heat superstar Tim Hardaway Sr., is currently an assistant for Van Gundy with the Pistons.

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, detroit pistons, Tim Hardaway Jr., Brandon Jennings