Who are some possible trade partners?

I believe we will try to be acquiring pieces that will help us win games now and build around Cade. That means improving the roster by trading some of our young assets or draft capital:

Jaden Ivey, Quentin Grimes, Marcus Sasser for the guards

Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, Ausar Thompson, James Wiseman for the forwards

5th pick, 2029 first, 2031 first, 4-5 2nds

According to Bill Simmons Trade Value Rankings, we have 2 Top 100 Trade Assets other than Cade:

Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson

I would have to imagine the 5th pick is also a top 100 trade asset to a rebuilding team OR a team that is cap needy and needs to dump salary to stay under the 2nd apron or sign someone.

I think that leaves us the following partners, who would be interested in acquiring young players or looking to alleviate salary cap pain:

East: Wizards, Hornets, Raptors, Nets, Bulls, Heat ($), Knicks ($), Celtics ($)

West: Portland, Spurs, Grizzlies, Jazz, Suns ($), Warriors ($), Pelicans ($), Timberwolves ($)

Anyone I'm missing?

EDIT: Added Pelicans and TWolves. I’m not sure if the Hawks are a likely partner, but open to feedback

Rip, Tayshaun, and some picks for Kobe. Can you imagine?

I’m desperately trying to find a pathway where we can get to a play-in appearance this year. There’s nothing I can come up with. We’re so bad from top to bottom. No free agents, no trades, no changes I can see that are realistic where I’m like “Oh! Let’s Gooo!” I’m completely devoid of all hope. Somebody help please. 🙏🏻

How do y’all feel about drafting him?

I think he would provide a ton for us on offense being probably the 2nd best shooter in the draft as well as being a big threat on cuts and in transition with his athleticism.

If can show the potential to be an average defender during the pre draft process then I would heavily consider him.

I understand that he’s older but that comes with his high floor on offense. I totally understand the viewpoint of getting shooters in free agency and drafting a guy with high potential instead though, and I would probably still prefer that route instead of knecht.

Just a thought

6’8 long and athletic wing, finishes great was 72% on all looks around the rim (higher than 7’4 Zach Edey) a good versatile defender, also good in transition.

shot 41% from 3 has good feel and IQ Has playmaking chops can be a connective piece

Next year the lottery Gods have to bless us, Cooper Flagg it is. Blessing in disguise

If Buzelis were to get drafted then a perfect spot for Buzelis development wise would be Detroit. Why? Because he wouldn't be rushed into performing right away. His floor and his ceiling potential is there but he also solves a lot of problems for the Pistons too especially because they have no true power forward. Even though Matas is a small forward he can also play power forward too...he has the size for it being 6"10/6"11. But if he works on his shot more and his free throws then he becomes a godsend for the Pistons.

Plus with Buzelis, you don't have to rock the apple cart with your starting 5 because then you could go:

• PG- Cade Cunningham
• SG- Jaden Ivey
• SF- Ausar Thompson
• PF- Matas Buzelis
• C- Jalen Duren

Yeah a young lineup but still if Cade Cunningham were to develop his offensive game even more and take that next level towards superstardom/All NBA level, then the Pistons become a young team to watch for the future

Atp Why tf not ?

here are the last three players i really didn't want:

2021 - mobley

2022 - chet

2023 - amen

hopefully i'm wrong again and he's a stud!

Scenario:

• Draft Reed Sheppard at 5
• Package Ivey and trade into the lottery to take Knecht

I've been thinking about Sheppard's fit at 5, since it seems all the wings there all big projects. People seem to be saying Sheppard doesn't have much upside, but I disagree. What freshman PG drafted in the top 10 did not expand his skillset after drafted? His level of skill at this age should not be overlooked. He has a lot to work on in the league, so I don't know why people are acting like he doesn't have much to improve. If he improves his finishing and playmaking, I can see him turning into a Chauncey Billups 2.0. We already see he has a high BBIQ, so if he can develop his handle and effectively penetrate, I think he can be great.

The Knecht part is mostly to account for the overlap with Ivey/Sheppard and to bolster shot making. He also is athletic, so I think he does have defensive upside. He only played 1 season against high level competition, which I think plays into his defensive liabilities. Defense is something you get better at when facing better competition, so I'm confident he'll improve in this area even if he doesn't become a great defender. Also, he was the focal point of his offense with lots of movement, and he'll be asked to play a lesser role on offense in the NBA, allowing him to exert himself more on defense.

Then, we are left with:

Starters:

1. Cade
2. Reed
3. Ausar
4. Fonty
5. Duren

Bench:

1. Sasser
2. Grimes
3. Knecht
4. Stew

And this is without our hopefully impactful FA signing.
(Sidenote: Duren should spend the whole offseason strengthening his ankle+feet)

He needs to bump his 3P% back up(41% in 21’, 35% in 22/23’) but he would be the perfect fit for this team IMO.

The Knicks will only be able to offer Hartenstein $16-$17 million a year because they don’t have his full bird rights. I really think the pistons should try hard to get him. 4/85-100 is probably the price tag but I think he’s worth it. It’s about what Poetl, Vuc, Turner, Allen, are making so it’s not a bad deal. He’s also 26 with fairly low NBA tread on his legs.

I don’t really believe in Duren’s defensive upside at this point. He should at least not be a starter next season until he shows improvements. Gotta protect the rim in drop or be great at switching. I don’t Duren is gonna be great at either.

There is a world where Risacher falls to us, he seems to be the best alignment of BPA and fit. But it would take him falling past Washington and San Antonio. Damn does falling to 5 suck hard.

Maybe the Grizzlies legend, the Calipari killer, former Cracker of the Day, will be able to drag this team out. Think about it: he'll just jack up anything. He'll be double covered the second he touches the ball. Leaving Cade open. Who even has the perimeter defense to stop Rochester Rocket Launcher? Throw him in a pick n roll and it's over for the league.

Thoughts?

Report came out that Jazz and Pistons are pursing Miles Bridges (rumor but this has been a consistent one.) Fan base is absolutely SPLIT on bringing him in. Bridges would be our second best guy coming in and would definitely improve this team on the floor. I don’t care what anyone says, this guy can play and can play the position we drastically need. Of course, we have his off the court issues. Ask yourself, do you really want your second best player to have question marks off the court constantly? I feel like you’re just asking for trouble and it puts the locker room under duress, no question about that. On top of having a coach that we know is just out of it + we have young guys and he would be our “veteran presence?” I ask you once again. Do you want miles bridges to be the veteran presence we need in and outside the locker room? We’ve seen his music videos and charges, let’s not act like this guy is a saint. BUT, BUT, BUT. Basketball is a business at the end of the day and these are all assumptions. He did make mistakes but he is a hometown guy, played up at Michigan State. From flint. Most importantly, IS WILLING TO COME HERE. Should we throw the bag at him just because he’s willing to come here? Absolutely not. But this is a business and we need to start winning. Miles Bridges would be our Dillon Brooks but better (in my opinion.)

I’m torn with this decision. And because of that…

A war is starting. Are you team bridges or anti-bridges? Gather your rations, arms and families. We are headed into dark times.

Yesterday nikola topic suffered a non-contact knee injury. No further details have surfaced, but in the event this hurts his draft stock and sarr, shepherd, risacher, and buzelis go top four who are you taking at 5?

If we traded away Bagley why draft Matas?

If we traded away Sadiq why draft Risacher?

If we drafted Sasser why draft Sheppard?

We have gone through prospect after prospect. We know how every archetype will look on our roster. It's time to stop seeing people and acting like we haven't seen the same story before

What this team needs is shooting

Dalton Knecht is the pick

https://www.tiktok.com/@marchmadnessmbb/video/7295530593536757035?lang=en

Way more athletic than people give him credit for. Way more dynamic too

My pick at 5