Stan Van Gundy publicly denied reports that the Detroit Pistons were discussing a trade with the Phoenix Suns centered on Reggie Jackson for Eric Bledsoe.
“It was crazy yesterday,” Van Gundy said Friday. “I left practice yesterday and there’s a rumor out on Reggie and Bledsoe so I had to get home and call Reggie and say we’re not trading you for Bledsoe. I don’t usually address all of them but it’s early in the (season). You can’t address all of them at the trade deadline, but I felt the need to address this.”
The Pistons have been linked to Bledsoe in the past.
“You always consider everything,” Van Gundy said. “I’ve said it before and it’s absolutely true: At least 99 percent of the rumors that come out on trades never come to fruition. If Jeff Bower talks to anybody — to (Celtics president) Danny Ainge — there’s a rumored Boston trade.
“These guys talk to each other every day — that’s what they do.”
Jackson hadn't heard about the trade rumors until Van Gundy approached him.
“I don’t pay attention and really don’t care (about rumors),” Jackson said. “Everybody’s media nowadays. Anybody can write anything and it can go on the web. That’s the beauty and downfall of the internet. Who cares? Everybody’s going to talk and have their own opinion.
“I’m still in Detroit and still here to compete and make my team the best it can be. If something else happens, it happens. That’s not something I’m concerned about.”