Van Gundy debunks trade rumor involving Pistons

Minneapolis — During the season, coaches tend to get locked into their teams and don’t pay attention to a lot of white noise around them.

But Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy came out of the bubble when he heard a whopper of an unsubstantiated trade rumor.

Internet reports circulating Friday had the Pistons getting Paul George and Monta Ellis from the Indiana Pacers for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tobias Harris, Stanley Johnson and an array of draft picks.

Though the unsourced trade rumor drew some buzz on social media, Van Gundy shot down any notion that there had even been discussions.

“We’re going to get Shaq or Hakeem Olajuwon to add to the fake news that’s out there,” Van Gundy said sarcastically — and unprompted — in his pregame remarks. “This whole fake news thing, sports started it.”

Taking the whole rumor mill and made-up news in stride, Van Gundy played along:

“We were right on the verge and then it (collapsed),” he joked. “It’s amazing how those people find out before it even comes to our minds.”

Though the logistics of the trade work in having the players change teams, there’s no indication that the Pistons would be willing to give up that huge of a haul, even for an All-Star such as George.

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard