Run it Back or Upgrade?

[Warspite]

If we continue on our trajectory our 1sts will be a mid to late 1st round pick. Prior to this year, the 2 years prior Lauri put up ~24ppg/8rpg on near 50/40/90. He is a legit all star caliber player. Two firsts and filler is a price i'd gladly pay to get a guy like that.

But Ainge has a rep of trying to mega rip off other GMs. I don't think there's any way you get Lauri in a fair deal.

If Ainge is willing to trade him Im not sure I want him. Dealing with Ainge is a non-starter for me.

I don’t want Lauri at his salary and cost of assets to acquire but don’t forget that Danny was the one who blessed us with Sheed 21 years ago

If Lauri is being investigated for spending time with underage girls/demands to be traded/Stops playing hard and Ainge cant find anyone to take him and just wants to dump him then yeah Ill listen.

[tmorgan]

If we are going to overpay for a guy, i’d rather go for Sabonis than Lauri. Him next to Duren would be pretty rough on defense though….I’m really not a Bam guy and think Pat would ask for way too much.

Run it back and see how it shakes out with just upgrading the THJ spot.

Sabonis and Duren is just terrible. Duren’s a better athlete/lob catcher and Sabonis is more experienced and has a little range, but other than that, completely redundant.

Mediocre defender, great rebounder (#1 and #2 in total rebounding percentage this year, by the way), good passer.

Even trading Duren FOR Sab makes no sense. Just makes our roster more expensive without really changing anything.

[the_l_train]

If we are going to overpay for a guy, i’d rather go for Sabonis than Lauri. Him next to Duren would be pretty rough on defense though….I’m really not a Bam guy and think Pat would ask for way too much.

Run it back and see how it shakes out with just upgrading the THJ spot.

Sabonis and Duren is just terrible. Duren’s a better athlete/lob catcher and Sabonis is more experienced and has a little range, but other than that, completely redundant.

Mediocre defender, great rebounder (#1 and #2 in total rebounding percentage this year, by the way), good passer.

Even trading Duren FOR Sab makes no sense. Just makes our roster more expensive without really changing anything.

Yeah bud, like I said, they would be rough defensively…but to play devils advocate, having the 2 best rebounders may not be the worst thing in the world…but in that case we would 100% need to move on from Ausar just to get Cade the necessary spacing…originally just saying Sabonis is on a totally different level than Lauri, regardless of fit. Lauri will be lucky to ever get allstar consideration again, and was a flash in the pan. I don’t want to do this but gun to my head im going Sabonis over Lauri.

All of the “available” big name guys we are talking about potentially getting are likely not worth it.

Sabonis - no range
Lauri - fools gold
Durant - window too small, potential bad influence on the youth (ask any Suns fan)
Bam - overrated and would take way too many assets
Zion - way too risky
Booker - too many assets and redundant with Cade

[tmorgan]

If we are going to overpay for a guy, i’d rather go for Sabonis than Lauri. Him next to Duren would be pretty rough on defense though….I’m really not a Bam guy and think Pat would ask for way too much.

Run it back and see how it shakes out with just upgrading the THJ spot.

Sabonis and Duren is just terrible. Duren’s a better athlete/lob catcher and Sabonis is more experienced and has a little range, but other than that, completely redundant.

Mediocre defender, great rebounder (#1 and #2 in total rebounding percentage this year, by the way), good passer.

Even trading Duren FOR Sab makes no sense. Just makes our roster more expensive without really changing anything.

Yeah bud, like I said, they would be rough defensively…but to play devils advocate, having the 2 best rebounders may not be the worst thing in the world…but in that case we would 100% need to move on from Ausar just to get Cade the necessary spacing…originally just saying Sabonis is on a totally different level than Lauri, regardless of fit. Lauri will be lucky to ever get allstar consideration again, and was a flash in the pan. I don’t want to do this but gun to my head im going Sabonis over Lauri.

All of the “available” big name guys we are talking about potentially getting are likely not worth it.

Sabonis - no range
Lauri - fools gold
Durant - window too small, potential bad influence on the youth (ask any Suns fan)
Bam - overrated and would take way too many assets
Zion - way too risky
Booker - too many assets and redundant with Cade

Other than Lauri, who would likely still be too expensive, I completely agree.

[VicVinegar]

Any Zach Lavine type players out there? Like a good but not superstar player with little/negative value just because they make too much money? Maybe that would be a compromise. A team could look to get out of a bad long term contract by taking on Tobias' (and possibly Tek's) expiring deal. Pistons overpay in money but get a decent player without giving up one of the young core guys, and maybe just give up picks instead.

[breezypeezy]

All the arguments im reading for "not running it back" are really underwhelming.

We have a super core of guys ages 19-23, that have just took the 3rd seed to 6 games in the 1st round. Were getting Ivey back, a healthy Stew, each of the 19-23 year olds will have another year and a playoff run under the belt.

We need to resign the vets and retain this young group that has transformed into winners improving month after month.

The evidence I see is improving potential that hasnt peaked, vets that actually want be here and are motivated to play playoff basketball under Cades leadership.
Busting up this core now to gamble on an overpay that may, or may not, improve us doesn't look wise.

This team is certain to be even stronger going into the next post season, the only way that doesnt happen is by packaging off our assets for some fools gold.

[bstein14]

All the arguments im reading for "not running it back" are really underwhelming.

We have a super core of guys ages 19-23, that have just took the 3rd seed to 6 games in the 1st round. Were getting Ivey back, a healthy Stew, each of the 19-23 year olds will have another year and a playoff run under the belt.

We need to resign the vets and retain this young group that has transformed into winners improving month after month.

The evidence I see is improving potential that hasnt peaked, vets that actually want be here and are motivated to play playoff basketball under Cades leadership.
Busting up this core now to gamble on an overpay that may, or may not, improve us doesn't look wise.

This team is certain to be even stronger going into the next post season, the only way that doesnt happen is by packaging off our assets for some fools gold.

We have 10 guys already under contract for next year and then we have 4 FAs to consider resigning in THJ, Schroeder, Beasley and Paul Reed.... I think out of those 14 we're almost certainly going to have 12 guys back. I'd consider that running it back, even if we go out and make one trade for a rotational guy and sign one FA and draft one guy in the 2nd round to fill out the 15 man roster.... I fully expect 12 of them to be back maybe even 13.

[MotownMadness]

All the arguments im reading for "not running it back" are really underwhelming.

We have a super core of guys ages 19-23, that have just took the 3rd seed to 6 games in the 1st round. Were getting Ivey back, a healthy Stew, each of the 19-23 year olds will have another year and a playoff run under the belt.

We need to resign the vets and retain this young group that has transformed into winners improving month after month.

The evidence I see is improving potential that hasnt peaked, vets that actually want be here and are motivated to play playoff basketball under Cades leadership.
Busting up this core now to gamble on an overpay that may, or may not, improve us doesn't look wise.

This team is certain to be even stronger going into the next post season, the only way that doesnt happen is by packaging off our assets for some fools gold.

It’s honestly hard to think of a good trade right now using our assets. I can’t even jump on 2K and think of a good realistic trade out there.

[BadMofoPimp]

What this team needs is to keep Bease, Harris and Schroder then find other vet gems like Harris and Schroder to round out the team.

[Mr Peanut]

I think Santi Aldama would be a great pickup to be our backup PF and then starter once Tobias's deal expires. We project to have about 18M of cap space after Cade gets named All-NBA. If we can somehow dump Fontecchio (to Brooklyn with a second rounder?) then that frees up close to 26M to make a competitive offer sheet that Memphis doesn't match. Then sign Beasley to the MLE. Unfortunately we won't have the space to bring back Schroder in this scenario, and THJ we should just let walk.

Duren/Stewart
Harris/Aldama
Ausar/Holland
Ivey/Beasley
Cade/Ivey

[LaSheed]

I think Santi Aldama would be a great pickup to be our backup PF and then starter once Tobias's deal expires. We project to have about 18M of cap space after Cade gets named All-NBA. If we can somehow dump Fontecchio (to Brooklyn with a second rounder?) then that frees up close to 26M to make a competitive offer sheet that Memphis doesn't match. Then sign Beasley to the MLE. Unfortunately we won't have the space to bring back Schroder in this scenario, and THJ we should just let walk.

Duren/Stewart
Harris/Aldama
Ausar/Holland
Ivey/Beasley
Cade/Ivey

Don't think that's possible. If we want to use the MLE we'd have to operate as a over the cap team.

You would have to sign Beasley out of that 26 million in cap you created.

[bstein14]

I think Santi Aldama would be a great pickup to be our backup PF and then starter once Tobias's deal expires. We project to have about 18M of cap space after Cade gets named All-NBA. If we can somehow dump Fontecchio (to Brooklyn with a second rounder?) then that frees up close to 26M to make a competitive offer sheet that Memphis doesn't match. Then sign Beasley to the MLE. Unfortunately we won't have the space to bring back Schroder in this scenario, and THJ we should just let walk.

Duren/Stewart
Harris/Aldama
Ausar/Holland
Ivey/Beasley
Cade/Ivey

Don't think that's possible. If we want to use the MLE we'd have to operate as a over the cap team.

You would have to sign Beasley out of that 26 million in cap you created.

Beasley could be signed to a deal at 120% of his old salary even without bird rights. If Beasley would take $7.2 million as a "Non-Qualifying Veteran Free Agent" we could still have the full MLE for someone else.

Beasley 2 years $15 million
Schroeder 2 years $15 million
THJ 1 year $7 million

That would give us full use for the entire MLE for someone else. Of course Beasley might get much better offers than that on the open market its hard to say for sure.

[LaSheed]

I think Santi Aldama would be a great pickup to be our backup PF and then starter once Tobias's deal expires. We project to have about 18M of cap space after Cade gets named All-NBA. If we can somehow dump Fontecchio (to Brooklyn with a second rounder?) then that frees up close to 26M to make a competitive offer sheet that Memphis doesn't match. Then sign Beasley to the MLE. Unfortunately we won't have the space to bring back Schroder in this scenario, and THJ we should just let walk.

Duren/Stewart
Harris/Aldama
Ausar/Holland
Ivey/Beasley
Cade/Ivey

Don't think that's possible. If we want to use the MLE we'd have to operate as a over the cap team.

You would have to sign Beasley out of that 26 million in cap you created.

Beasley could be signed to a deal at 120% of his old salary even without bird rights. If Beasley would take $7.2 million as a "Non-Qualifying Veteran Free Agent" we could still have the full MLE for someone else.

Beasley 2 years $15 million
Schroeder 2 years $15 million
THJ 1 year $7 million

That would give us full use for the entire MLE for someone else. Of course Beasley might get much better offers than that on the open market its hard to say for sure.

Yes sir. You just don't get cap space and a MLE. Would be fantastic if he took that 120% deal. Holy moly.

[MotownMadness]

I think Santi Aldama would be a great pickup to be our backup PF and then starter once Tobias's deal expires. We project to have about 18M of cap space after Cade gets named All-NBA. If we can somehow dump Fontecchio (to Brooklyn with a second rounder?) then that frees up close to 26M to make a competitive offer sheet that Memphis doesn't match. Then sign Beasley to the MLE. Unfortunately we won't have the space to bring back Schroder in this scenario, and THJ we should just let walk.

Duren/Stewart
Harris/Aldama
Ausar/Holland
Ivey/Beasley
Cade/Ivey

Something like this works as well. I wanted to try Laravia in a position like this but the Kings got him.

[LaSheed]

I think Santi Aldama would be a great pickup to be our backup PF and then starter once Tobias's deal expires. We project to have about 18M of cap space after Cade gets named All-NBA. If we can somehow dump Fontecchio (to Brooklyn with a second rounder?) then that frees up close to 26M to make a competitive offer sheet that Memphis doesn't match. Then sign Beasley to the MLE. Unfortunately we won't have the space to bring back Schroder in this scenario, and THJ we should just let walk.

Duren/Stewart
Harris/Aldama
Ausar/Holland
Ivey/Beasley
Cade/Ivey

Something like this works as well. I wanted to try Laravia in a position like this but the Kings got him.

I think Memphis declined their team option a while before trading him. I certainly wouldn't mind grabbing him.

[Canadafan]

So Aldama and Naz Reid are restricted free agents?
I say throw them all of our 18mil in cap space then to try to pry one of them away. Or obviously trade Fontecchio to get that number up to 25mil. Maybe even in a sign and trade to one of those teams so they don't lose their guy for nothing. Talk about a great upgrade!
Then we would only be left with our non-tax payer exemption which is i believe close to $9million. Give that to Shröder (or Beasley)
We end up
Duren Stew
Tobias Aldama
Ausar Holland
Ivey Sasser
Cade Shröder
Or if we do what Bstein says we can do, then could we talk Shröder into a vet deal up to as high as 120% of his contract? But preferably lower. And Beasley into signing the $9mil?
Is this doable??

[GreekAlex]

So Aldama and Naz Reid are restricted free agents?
I say throw them all of our 18mil in cap space then to try to pry one of them away. Or obviously trade Fontecchio to get that number up to 25mil. Maybe even in a sign and trade to one of those teams so they don't lose their guy for nothing. Talk about a great upgrade!
Then we would only be left with our non-tax payer exemption which is i believe close to $9million. Give that to Shröder (or Beasley)
We end up
Duren Stew
Tobias Aldama
Ausar Holland
Ivey Sasser
Cade Shröder
Or if we do what Bstein says we can do, then could we talk Shröder into a vet deal up to as high as 120% of his contract? But preferably lower. And Beasley into signing the $9mil?
Is this doable??

I don’t believe that Naz is restricted.

He has a player option.

Hopefully he opts out and puts some pressure on Minnesota financially.

[theBigLip]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/02/nba/detroit-pistons-nba-trade-rumors-playoffs-2025

Article has some good examples on what not to do and points the finger at Gores to behave.

[LaSheed]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/02/nba/detroit-pistons-nba-trade-rumors-playoffs-2025

Article has some good examples on what not to do and points the finger at Gores to behave.

This is the article that settled my expectations and talked me off the ledge of the big move.

Every single PF of the future I wanted (Zion, Lauri, Cam Johnson) has durability issues. What we would have to give up really makes the return on investment that much harder. If you miss you are in trouble and then risk upsetting your Superstar.

We have the rights to all of our 1sts finally and have 15 second round picks. Let's be aggressive in the draft moving up from 37, bringing back our FAs & improving bench size, rebounding and stretch 4.

[GreekAlex]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/02/nba/detroit-pistons-nba-trade-rumors-playoffs-2025

Article has some good examples on what not to do and points the finger at Gores to behave.

Great article, thanks for sharing!

It echoes my sentiments exactly.

Someone should print it out and send it to Gores via certified mail. Tape it to the gate in front of his mansion if need be.