PF targets

[zeebneeb]

I'm just hoping Langdon doesn't create a hole, trying to fill another one.(Trade Ivey in a package for a PF)

I'm pretty much OK with any PF, as long as they can shoot, and shoot well. If they can block shots, bonus. Also, as someone else mentioned, I want someone who is in the 6'10-11 range, instead of being another 6'7-8 guy again. Real size.

I think people have a tendency to forget how much Ivey was blossoming when he went down. Two game winners(huge added bonus for the team. A clutch player)and shooting 40+% from three.

If Langdon moves Ivey in a package, it better be for a stunner like JJJ, or Bam.

[Rip32]

I think we try and get Tari Eason. Given the limited amount of assets we have is it better to try and offer him a contract which as currently constructed the Rockets wouldn’t be able to match?

I may be in the minority in this one, but I would also be keen to move Duren for the best return possible in young player or picks. I think he’s proven that his defence will always be terrible and his bball IQ isn’t going to change. He’s not a winning player and while his offensive game is growing a little I just don’t want to be stuck paying him a big contract which will instantly become a negative one. I also think there would be quite a few teams that would still see untapped potential so we should move sooner rather than later.

So move Duren, get Eason and then resign Paul Reed to a small contract and that should be it. If Easons game continues to grow he could be an insane two way player, I’ve always believed in the guy.

If you move Duren I would definitely want Naz Reid

Why Naz over Eason in the context of a Duren trade? Is it because he can play some minutes at Center? I would argue you could almost do the same with Eason and Eason is the superior defender, shoots 2% less from 3 and hasn’t really had the opportunity to be let loose yet. If we trade Duren I would get Stew to play starting Center which I know isn’t great but he can also shoot a bit but he would just be a stop gap until we get someone better.

We are going to need rebounding if Duren is moved.

[A_dub06]

Love Eason, but isn’t his availability a bit shaky? Seems injury prone. Regardless, would rather go for him than all the other targets we are mentioning.

With Timberwolves thriving and the end of season Naz/Divencenzo fight, I think it’s safe to say Naz is not coming.

LaRavia seems like a good affordable option…Ryen Russillo made a recent comment about how he was kind of a dick in his pre-draft interviews…may be nothing, or maybe that is why Memphis moved on from him…I’d take the chance though.

Could see Houston wanting Ivey if they end up moving on from Jalen Green. Getting Jabari or Eason in a deal like that may make sense, then going after a Laravia type would be a solid offseason for us. Personally not ready to move on from Ivey yet, but afraid he may be the one out of all the young guys.

Could see teams clamoring for Duren. I wish the Clips were dumb enough to trade Zubac.

It is, he had a stress related injury in his leg. Has had a little soreness in it I think last month but subsided. I just think he easily has the best chance out of that list of becoming a true two way force. He’s already a defensive beast and his offensive game is pretty decent with room to grow.

As much I probably would trade Ivey for him, I think we need to be smart with our minimal assets which is why I thin trading Duren for a pick or another young player is the right move so we can have cap space available to make an offer that Houston wouldn’t match.

Realistically because weaver did such a bad job at accumulating assets whilst tanking, we are relying on pretty much all our young guys to develop into legit players which is why I think holding onto Ivey for now would be the right choice.

[Phenomenonsense]

Ivey was shooting like 40% on 3pointers, not trading that in someone that Young, that fast, that athletic.

[SuperBad]

As far as moving one of young lottery picks We got at another season until we really got to think about this in my opinion. But I guess if phoenix would take Ivey and like 2 top ten protected 1st rd picks. I might do that. I still think the answer for the next 2 years is Tobias, Ausar, then Stew(just like 4-6 minutes a game at the PF slot. He needs more minutes anyways.

[SuperBad]

Ivey and two firsts for Booker I might do if they were top ten protected otherwise I’d wait a season, but u never know, I like Tobias for now

[LaSheed]

Ivey and two firsts for Booker I might do if they were top ten protected otherwise I’d wait a season, but u never know, I like Tobias for now

Pretty sure Booker about to sign a 2 year max deal. If Giannis stays this will be a disappointing offseason for some fan bases lol

[tmorgan]

Tobias was a lot better than I expected. His role is smaller than the last time he was here, but his defense as a PF was generally good, he wasn’t a ball-stopper, made some big shots, fit in really well as “Unc”, all that. It’d be cool if he’d mentor his eventual replacement next year and then stick around as a bench guy for a lot less money.

Now who is he going to mentor? Heck if I know.

[theBigLip]

If you move Duren I would definitely want Naz Reid

Why Naz over Eason in the context of a Duren trade? Is it because he can play some minutes at Center? I would argue you could almost do the same with Eason and Eason is the superior defender, shoots 2% less from 3 and hasn’t really had the opportunity to be let loose yet. If we trade Duren I would get Stew to play starting Center which I know isn’t great but he can also shoot a bit but he would just be a stop gap until we get someone better.

We are going to need rebounding if Duren is moved.

I don’t think we should trade Duren (unless for some reason we get a crazy offer). We are trying to fill holes, not create new ones. Trading Sasser, Fontecchio and some draft capital would be my preference.

Cade/Schroder/???
Ivey/Beasley
Ausar/???/Holland
???/Harris
Duren/Stewart

I think we need to fill in the question marks. Schroeder, Beasley and Holland could be considered question marks themselves, but for now, I’d rather keep them. So the most glaring gap is starting PF.

I’d hope to get quality shooters at PF and SF. 3rd string PG could be anyone that can run an offense. It could be Sasser but he is probably better as trade bait.

[zeebneeb]

Why Naz over Eason in the context of a Duren trade? Is it because he can play some minutes at Center? I would argue you could almost do the same with Eason and Eason is the superior defender, shoots 2% less from 3 and hasn’t really had the opportunity to be let loose yet. If we trade Duren I would get Stew to play starting Center which I know isn’t great but he can also shoot a bit but he would just be a stop gap until we get someone better.

We are going to need rebounding if Duren is moved.

I don’t think we should trade Duren (unless for some reason we get a crazy offer). We are trying to fill holes, not create new ones. Trading Sasser, Fontecchio and some draft capital would be my preference.

Cade/Schroder/???
Ivey/Beasley
Ausar/???/Holland
???/Harris
Duren/Stewart

I think we need to fill in the question marks. Schroeder, Beasley and Holland could be considered question marks themselves, but for now, I’d rather keep them. So the most glaring gap is starting PF.

I’d hope to get quality shooters at PF and SF. 3rd string PG could be anyone that can run an offense. It could be Sasser but he is probably better as trade bait.

The thing that has a tendency to get overlooked, is that the Pistons have real assets at the moment. First round picks. I would make Holland available, as I feel him and Ausar play the same position, and you can't pay all your high draft picks. The Pistons also have an immense amount of 2nd round picks.

I am not opposed to moving up in the draft, to nab a guy Langdon wants either. Moving future firsts, and an array of 2nds can move you up pretty high.

The team also has Klintman sitting, waiting for his chance. He could be the answer, who the hell knows. The best course of action, to be frank, might just be to wait until the trade deadline, and see how it pans out. I really want Aldama, and if he's added through sign and trade, or making the contract rich so Memphis won't match is OK as well, but keep the core. See how it works.

The team was looking damn good, even in their first playoffs. Tearing it apart to add one player seems foolhardy.

[tmorgan]

Zeeb wants to trade Holland.

Before that I was happy you weren’t dead, now I’m not so sure.

[Snakebites]

Zeeb wants to trade Holland.

Before that I was happy you weren’t dead, now I’m not so sure.

I agree with him, and Zeeb and I agreeing on something beyond just "we both root for the same team" is pretty rare. We certainly have hopes that Ausar and Holland will improve as shooters.

But I don't think either ever becomes an above average shooter- the best we can hope for is passable from those guys.

I don't get too hung up on the fact that they're both threes, but I definitely think we should be looking to move one. Doesn't have to be immediate but I don't think both are in our longterm plans and they do have trade value.

[theBigLip]

Zeeb wants to trade Holland.

Before that I was happy you weren’t dead, now I’m not so sure.

I agree with him, and Zeeb and I agreeing on something beyond just "we both root for the same team" is pretty rare. We certainly have hopes that Ausar and Holland will improve as shooters.

But I don't think either ever becomes an above average shooter- the best we can hope for is passable from those guys.

I don't get too hung up on the fact that they're both threes, but I definitely think we should be looking to move one. Doesn't have to be immediate but I don't think both are in our longterm plans and they do have trade value.

I doubt they become “elite” shooters, but if they can just become “average”, they will both be huge assets. And I think “average” is attainable, even if it takes a few years. And it might work out good for the Pistons - extend them when they have shooting deficiencies at a reduced price, and then hopefully they blossom as shooters and then we’d have them both on value contracts. They certainly can both play D.

[Phenomenonsense]

I can easily see Holland not developing because of the people on the squad ahead of him on the list, which makes him more valuable to me as trade bait. Not that I think he's gonna suck or anything, just gotta get value somewhere and honestly give him a better chance to succeed.

[tmorgan]

I can easily see Holland not developing because of the people on the squad ahead of him on the list, which makes him more valuable to me as trade bait. Not that I think he's gonna suck or anything, just gotta get value somewhere and honestly give him a better chance to succeed.

That’s why you let him get healthy and shop Ivey.

[Cowology]

Ausar has both the higher floor and the higher ceiling. He's already showing himself to be an impact player and IF he develops a league average shot (which is a long shot) then he's an elite 2-way wing. He's the more tantalizing prospect.

But I still think Ron is going to wind up being the better overall player. He won't be as good a defender, but he'll be above average while giving you 20+ a night.

[BadMofoPimp]

I reckon the Pistons will run with Harris another year then make that leap. I think a solid backup is definitely needed via trade.

[bstein14]

We get 10 rotation spots. 5 starters are essentially taken and 4 bench players are kind of in flux a bit.

C: Duren/Stew
F: Tobias
F: Ausar
G: Ivey
G: Cade

Then you've got Sasser, Holland and Font already on the books.... but you've got Beasley, THJ, and Schroeder as possible FAs to be retained.

[zeebneeb]

The Knicks/Celtics shows that this team is closer then any of us think, even me, the eternal optimist.

I dont think the team needs to take any huge swings. Get a good player at the 4(Aldama)and try to bring everyone back if possible. It can be done.

Man. It really is tantalizing thinking about next season already...

[vic]

I agree with keeping your team continuity, add Aldama or buy a first round pick to get Yaxel Lendenbourg in the draft.

In terms of basketball development decisions, All this team needs is one piece.

Basketball wise, they were better than their record and they were better than the Knicks in the playoff series. They played their 2nd best player only 22 minutes, had a game blatantly taken by the refs, and were missing their 2nd best scorer and their 2nd best defender. They basically played the whole series with their hands tied behind their back.

The only top teams they didn’t beat in 2025 were OKC, Indiana, and Denver - which are now looking like the 3 of the 4 actual best teams in the league when Cleveland is healthy.

I’m a firm believer that the Pistons are a top 5 team next year if Ausar averages 30 minutes/a night and Ivey/Stew/Holland are playing a full season.

Ron Holland is being vastly underrated. He’s just as much a game changer as Ausar. Watch how he blows up next year. I’m of the mindset of making basketball decisions based on basketball, and use the cap space juggling to build the team, not tear it down prematurely.

From Trajans interview yesterday it seems like he’s on the same mindset to let the young guys develop and keep the continuity he saw when he was with the Spurs.