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Marks: I asked team executives from both conferences to give me one team that controls the Feb. 6 deadline. The answer might surprise you: the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons are the team to watch not because it is in the market for Ingram, Butler or Chicago Bulls' wing Zach LaVine, but because of its $14 million in salary cap space. With nearly a third of the league not allowed to take back additional salary in a trade because of apron restrictions, Detroit is in an ideal position to act as a third team, taking back contracts but with the caveat that draft picks are attached.

Woo: Several league execs have made the point to me that Flagg's development outcomes might hinge on which team he goes to, and even more so than your typical top prospect. A lottery team in need of a long-term No. 1 scorer -- such as the Washington Wizards or the Utah Jazz -- might lean heavily on him to shoulder their offenses. But in a situation such as in New Orleans, Charlotte or Toronto, Flagg might not be relied upon that way early on, and would be allowed to maximize his impact defensively.

Part of the appeal of Flagg is the malleability he might supply -- his versatility allows him to fit almost anywhere. I'm among many, including the execs I heard from in Orlando, who are bullish on him having an excellent career at the next level. "I fully trust in him to maximize every tool he's got," one Eastern Conference scout told me.

Dalek wrote:Good trade nuggets to digest from Jeremy Woo who was at the G-League Showcase where GMs/scouts were around this past week.
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/43115881/nba-buzz-orlando-g-league-trade-deadline-intel-2025-draft-bronny-james-cooper-flagg

Detroit positioned as a third team in trades. I kind of wish Toronto had this position but yay for having Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk.

Marks: I asked team executives from both conferences to give me one team that controls the Feb. 6 deadline. The answer might surprise you: the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons are the team to watch not because it is in the market for Ingram, Butler or Chicago Bulls' wing Zach LaVine, but because of its $14 million in salary cap space. With nearly a third of the league not allowed to take back additional salary in a trade because of apron restrictions, Detroit is in an ideal position to act as a third team, taking back contracts but with the caveat that draft picks are attached.

Toronto was mentioned as a good destination for Cooper Flagg. I love the fit here even if he isn't showing a ton of scoring, he can change the defense on this team.

Woo: Several league execs have made the point to me that Flagg's development outcomes might hinge on which team he goes to, and even more so than your typical top prospect. A lottery team in need of a long-term No. 1 scorer -- such as the Washington Wizards or the Utah Jazz -- might lean heavily on him to shoulder their offenses. But in a situation such as in New Orleans, Charlotte or Toronto, Flagg might not be relied upon that way early on, and would be allowed to maximize his impact defensively.

Part of the appeal of Flagg is the malleability he might supply -- his versatility allows him to fit almost anywhere. I'm among many, including the execs I heard from in Orlando, who are bullish on him having an excellent career at the next level. "I fully trust in him to maximize every tool he's got," one Eastern Conference scout told me.

Article also mentions Golden State and Denver as being active.

Also worth mentioning that the 2026 draft is growing in hype. AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson are at the top of the list of GMs.

BoyzNTheHood wrote:Adam Silver allowing us to get what many believe is, the next great white American superstar is not happening. Is the league rigged? I don't know, but they will definitely pull strings to make sure they get Flagg on a large enough market to sell him to Murica

ForeverTFC wrote:Don’t understand your Detroit point.

We have the MLE as a trade exception for $13m; we pretty much have the same space as Detroit to take salary into. Note that if you are a cap team, you don’t get the MLE. As a result of operating above the cap, we have pretty much the maximum room you’re allowed to have (max cap space you can have is 10%, MLE is 9% of the cap) as well as trade pieces, giving us more ammo at the deadline.

Can you explain why you find their cap situation enviable?

ForeverTFC wrote:Don’t understand your Detroit point.

We have the MLE as a trade exception for $13m; we pretty much have the same space as Detroit to take salary into. Note that if you are a cap team, you don’t get the MLE. As a result of operating above the cap, we have pretty much the maximum room you’re allowed to have (max cap space you can have is 10%, MLE is 9% of the cap) as well as trade pieces, giving us more ammo at the deadline.

Can you explain why you find their cap situation enviable?

MessiahUjiri wrote:I actually think Dylan Harper is the better fit for this team. He can be a #1 on offense and provide on ball leadership.

Scase wrote:

Dalek wrote:Good trade nuggets to digest from Jeremy Woo who was at the G-League Showcase where GMs/scouts were around this past week.
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/43115881/nba-buzz-orlando-g-league-trade-deadline-intel-2025-draft-bronny-james-cooper-flagg

Detroit positioned as a third team in trades. I kind of wish Toronto had this position but yay for having Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk.

Marks: I asked team executives from both conferences to give me one team that controls the Feb. 6 deadline. The answer might surprise you: the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons are the team to watch not because it is in the market for Ingram, Butler or Chicago Bulls' wing Zach LaVine, but because of its $14 million in salary cap space. With nearly a third of the league not allowed to take back additional salary in a trade because of apron restrictions, Detroit is in an ideal position to act as a third team, taking back contracts but with the caveat that draft picks are attached.

Toronto was mentioned as a good destination for Cooper Flagg. I love the fit here even if he isn't showing a ton of scoring, he can change the defense on this team.

Woo: Several league execs have made the point to me that Flagg's development outcomes might hinge on which team he goes to, and even more so than your typical top prospect. A lottery team in need of a long-term No. 1 scorer -- such as the Washington Wizards or the Utah Jazz -- might lean heavily on him to shoulder their offenses. But in a situation such as in New Orleans, Charlotte or Toronto, Flagg might not be relied upon that way early on, and would be allowed to maximize his impact defensively.

Part of the appeal of Flagg is the malleability he might supply -- his versatility allows him to fit almost anywhere. I'm among many, including the execs I heard from in Orlando, who are bullish on him having an excellent career at the next level. "I fully trust in him to maximize every tool he's got," one Eastern Conference scout told me.

Article also mentions Golden State and Denver as being active.

Also worth mentioning that the 2026 draft is growing in hype. AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson are at the top of the list of GMs.

I don't think Flagg is a great fit tbh, but he's definitely the BPA and we pick him no matter what.

Tha Cynic wrote:Dylan Harper is who i'm hoping for. Then package Quickly+ for a young big and we're good to go.

BoyzNTheHood wrote:Adam Silver allowing us to get what many believe is, the next great white American superstar is not happening. Is the league rigged? I don't know, but they will definitely pull strings to make sure they get Flagg on a large enough market to sell him to Murica

DelAbbot wrote:Flagg and Barnes are not ideal fits but they are great passers and can shoot, so they will work out fine

Did people question if Tim Duncan and David Robinson would fit?

BoyzNTheHood wrote:Adam Silver allowing us to get what many believe is, the next great white American superstar is not happening. Is the league rigged? I don't know, but they will definitely pull strings to make sure they get Flagg on a large enough market to sell him to Murica