PF targets

[GreekAlex]

Have we considered that Stew and/or Duren could play more minutes? Last year those guys only combined to play 46 mpg on 20/26 splits. Duren was up over 33 mpg in the post-season, but that was impacted by Stews absence.

In theory, we could see Duren up around 30-32 mpg this year if he can stay out of foul trouble. Stew can also play 24-28 mpg if needed. If we're really thinking about Stew as our 3rd big in that McDyess type role, then we don't need that much out of the 4th big. Some size & shot blocking would be nice, but this is not as big a deal as we're making it out to be. Just kind of a slow off-season and not much else to discuss.

I know it failed with Monty, Hayes and crew but I don't see any reason Stew & Duren can't co-exist on this current roster.

Again, this year is about internal development.

I think that could work out well.

It might get challenging if Tobias misses an extended stretch of games though.

[Cowology]

Have we considered that Stew and/or Duren could play more minutes? Last year those guys only combined to play 46 mpg on 20/26 splits. Duren was up over 33 mpg in the post-season, but that was impacted by Stews absence.

In theory, we could see Duren up around 30-32 mpg this year if he can stay out of foul trouble. Stew can also play 24-28 mpg if needed. If we're really thinking about Stew as our 3rd big in that McDyess type role, then we don't need that much out of the 4th big. Some size & shot blocking would be nice, but this is not as big a deal as we're making it out to be. Just kind of a slow off-season and not much else to discuss.

I know it failed with Monty, Hayes and crew but I don't see any reason Stew & Duren can't co-exist on this current roster.

Again, this year is about internal development.

I think that could work out well.

It might get challenging if Tobias misses an extended stretch of games though.

Valid, but I think we're approaching it more like the backup PG position last year where we knew it was a problem, but didn't really do anything about it until Ivey went down and it became critical. I expect there will be more options available closer to the deadline when teams start looking harder at their cap situations. It's hard to tell how much that has changed with the new CBA. Teams are also staying competitive longer thanks to the play-in but there are still going to be teams bailing to injuries to key rotation players, etc. Just no way to predict what that is going to actually look like. All you can do is be patient and see how the market develops.

[Snakebites]

I still think Stewart at the 4, particularly alongside a center who doesn't score outside of 3 feet, is an offensive black hole.

You can do it, but even in limited minutes it is going to hurt you some.

I think the backup 4 will likely be "by comitttee", and Stewart may very well be part of that committee, but I don't love it.

Tobias is super important to this team- he's the only guy at the 4 we have who fits particularly well and is effective offensively. If he gets hurt we're in trouble. I'm OKAY with entering the season with that vulnerability, I don't think the sky is falling or anything, but I'm not going to rationalize these things as more than the imperfect temporary fixes they are.

[GreekAlex]

Have we considered that Stew and/or Duren could play more minutes? Last year those guys only combined to play 46 mpg on 20/26 splits. Duren was up over 33 mpg in the post-season, but that was impacted by Stews absence.

In theory, we could see Duren up around 30-32 mpg this year if he can stay out of foul trouble. Stew can also play 24-28 mpg if needed. If we're really thinking about Stew as our 3rd big in that McDyess type role, then we don't need that much out of the 4th big. Some size & shot blocking would be nice, but this is not as big a deal as we're making it out to be. Just kind of a slow off-season and not much else to discuss.

I know it failed with Monty, Hayes and crew but I don't see any reason Stew & Duren can't co-exist on this current roster.

Again, this year is about internal development.

I think that could work out well.

It might get challenging if Tobias misses an extended stretch of games though.

Valid, but I think we're approaching it more like the backup PG position last year where we knew it was a problem, but didn't really do anything about it until Ivey went down and it became critical. I expect there will be more options available closer to the deadline when teams start looking harder at their cap situations. It's hard to tell how much that has changed with the new CBA. Teams are also staying competitive longer thanks to the play-in but there are still going to be teams bailing to injuries to key rotation players, etc. Just no way to predict what that is going to actually look like. All you can do is be patient and see how the market develops.

I totally agree. The patient approach is optimal and should allow the Pistons to capitalize on the best opportunity available.

[Canadafan]

I don't care, I luv Tobias and all but id trade him to the warriors for Kuminga. Give him the long term money and starting PF spot he covets. We'd be horrible shooting upfront but sprinkle in some Robinson and Beasley and we good

Duren Stew
Kuminga Holland
Ausar Robinson
Ivey Beasley
Cade Levert

We would be the most athletic team in the league though that's for sure

[tmorgan]

As a regular watcher of Kuminga since he’s local, I vehemently oppose this idea. He’ll drive you insane. Physically talented, obviously, and some basketball skills, too, but he’s maddeningly inconsistent except in one way — he cannot pass out of trouble, and it never crosses his mind. He’s in that same group with Jalen Green, Ben Mathurin, and Cam Whitmore. Will not play team ball. When he’s on, he can be a plus. When he’s off, he’s a massive minus. He’s had inconsistent minutes, for sure, but he’s also had four years of NBA practices and coaching and there’s been little improvement in terms of his weaknesses.

Everyone should also remember we still have BBall Paul and payed him more than the minimum (2/11). He can be a spot rotation guy, too.

[zeebneeb]

I don't care, I luv Tobias and all but id trade him to the warriors for Kuminga. Give him the long term money and starting PF spot he covets. We'd be horrible shooting upfront but sprinkle in some Robinson and Beasley and we good

Duren Stew
Kuminga Holland
Ausar Robinson
Ivey Beasley
Cade Levert

We would be the most athletic team in the league though that's for sure

I'm telling you, if the Pistons do end up adding Beasley to this current roster, the mix of shooting, athleticism, and floor I.Q. is absolutely absurd.

As for Kuminga, he doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed. Harris is great for stability.

[Canadafan]

Ya I'm good on Kuminga lol.
We got Holland, Ausar, Paul Reed and Stew that can backup Tobias.
Im still up for bringing back Beasley though. Can never have enough shooting

[dVs33]

I'm not in any rush to trade Tobias, especially for someone like kuminga.
Better off using stew, Ron and ausar as a back up until a long term starting option is available at the deadline or next offseason

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using RealGM mobile app

[Cowology]

Leave Tobias alone. He was our best all-around player last year. Yall crazy af.

[whitehops]

it's still really early and trajan could definitely trade for a true PF before the season starts but it looks like we might be trying to emulate what the thunder did last season. their most played 5-man lineup was wallace (6'4), SGA (6'6), williams (6'6), dort (6'5) and hartenstein. they also had guys like caruso and wiggins they could throw in there.

when they weren't going double-big they essentially had 4 players 6'6 and smaller on the floor and the result was an incredibly athletic, mobile perimeter defense. with cade, ivey, levert, ausar, holland and robinson we could try to play a similar style when tobias isn't on the floor.

[Kilo]

I wouldn't write off Kuminga yet. Being a young guy on a very good team can stunt ones growth as he's asked to fill a niche role and defer, defer, defer. (Not to digress but I think Darko would have had a different story if he ended up on a sad sack team and was forced fed minutes as a centerpiece prospect)

I wouldn't pay the cost GS is seemingly asking though for him. He should bet on himself, sign the offer sheet and play out the year.

[tmorgan]

I wouldn't write off Kuminga yet. Being a young guy on a very good team can stunt ones growth as he's asked to fill a niche role and defer, defer, defer. (Not to digress but I think Darko would have had a different story if he ended up on a sad sack team and was forced fed minutes as a centerpiece prospect)

I wouldn't pay the cost GS is seemingly asking though for him. He should bet on himself, sign the offer sheet and play out the year.

But this isn’t true at all, at least for the last two years.

His usage rates the last two years are 24.1% and 27.4%. He isn’t deferring much at all. When he’s on the floor, the Warriors run plenty of stuff for him.

[Snakebites]

Leave Tobias alone. He was our best all-around player last year. Yall crazy af.

He also plays a position that no other rotation caliber player on this roster plays.

[Sort]

Leave Tobias alone. He was our best all-around player last year. Yall crazy af.

He also plays a position that no other rotation caliber player on this roster plays.

I still don't understand the thinking with the roster when it comes to the four. Ron Holland is developing really well, but he's not a four, and Ausar can be a four but only certain matchups. Are we back to Stew at the four spot? What happens if Tobias gets injured? The answer would be a bunch of players being out of a position to succeed...

[Snakebites]

Leave Tobias alone. He was our best all-around player last year. Yall crazy af.

He also plays a position that no other rotation caliber player on this roster plays.

I still don't understand the thinking with the roster when it comes to the four. Ron Holland is developing really well, but he's not a four, and Ausar can be a four but only certain matchups. Are we back to Stew at the four spot? What happens if Tobias gets injured? The answer would be a bunch of players being out of a position to succeed...

I try not to get too hung up on precise positional definitions as those lines are getting blurred more and more every year.

But we still broadly need a guy with enough size who can shoot and defend some.

Tobias is the only guy we have that fits that need in the slightest. A big part of our improvement this past offseason was the veterans we added to supplement our young core. As of right now Tobias is the only veteran player offering continuity from last year to this year.

We need him unless a crazy offer comes along. Which it won't- he doesn't have a lot of trade value.

Don't trade Tobias.

[zeebneeb]

Leave Tobias alone. He was our best all-around player last year. Yall crazy af.

He also plays a position that no other rotation caliber player on this roster plays.

I still don't understand the thinking with the roster when it comes to the four. Ron Holland is developing really well, but he's not a four, and Ausar can be a four but only certain matchups. Are we back to Stew at the four spot? What happens if Tobias gets injured? The answer would be a bunch of players being out of a position to succeed...

Both Holland, and Ausar have the height to play the 4, no question there, but it comes down to weight. Pure, unadulterated heft.


Giannis 6'11 (242lbs)
Paolo 6'10 (250lns)
Siakam 6'8 (230lbs)
Kat 7'0 (248lbs)
Mobley 6'11 (215lbs)
Okongwu 6'8 (235 lbs)

Harris 6'8 (226lbs)
Ausar 6'7 (215lbs)
Holland 6'8 (212lbs)

From reports, and images, Ausar has put on not only some lbs, but strength as well. He is absolutely within the range, especially of he did indeed out on 10lbs. (225lbs)

As for Holland? He actually posted an image of his weight, on the scale, and he is at 212lbs.

Either one of Holland, or Ausar can play PF. The only thing limiting having both on the floor, is shooting. If Hollands shooting from SL translates, well, its all set.

Cade
Ivey
Holland
Ausar
Duren

Now if Ausar somehow just gets to 32% along with Hollands improved stroke, then that starting lineup is going to win titles. Defense will be absurd. Athleticism from 1-5 is best in the league.

Now add in the bench? Yeah, its gonna be sick.

I absolutely wanted a PF for the team, no question, but Hollands shooting performance in SL really eased my concerns. Its all about spreading the floor for Cade to operate. As a reminder, Harris shot .345% last year, and it worked out great.

What I really want now, is for Holland to start also developing a back to the basket game, like Harris.

[Cowology]

Leave Tobias alone. He was our best all-around player last year. Yall crazy af.

He also plays a position that no other rotation caliber player on this roster plays.

I still don't understand the thinking with the roster when it comes to the four. Ron Holland is developing really well, but he's not a four, and Ausar can be a four but only certain matchups. Are we back to Stew at the four spot? What happens if Tobias gets injured? The answer would be a bunch of players being out of a position to succeed...

We're all asking the same question which is why you keep seeing people slot Ausar/Ron in or proposing some wild trade. It's not entirely clear what the plan is right now.

But again, in the absence of a GOOD option it may be more prudent to let it roll for a hot minute and hope something more prudent develops.

I personally do NOT like the idea of either Ron or Ausar at the 4...but will it ruin our entire season if they get some develop minutes there early on? Probably not.

In my brain Ron is firmly a 2/3 type wing, but maybe he's growing into it. *shrug*

[Canadafan]

Leave Tobias alone. He was our best all-around player last year. Yall crazy af.

He also plays a position that no other rotation caliber player on this roster plays.

Lol sorry guys. That was just my random moment of weakness. Horrible idea!
For what its worth I'm also against taking up massive amount of our capsheet with a guy like Markkanen.
We've got Reed and Stew that can slide down to PF in a pinch and Ausar and Holland that can slide up. I think we're good actually.
I do still think Beasley comes back to us at that $7.1mark.
Deeeeeep team.
And TPE to use by the deadline

[Canadafan]

Id still luv PJWashington somehow as our guy to take over for Tobias. Dallas will need to disappoint this year in order for them to let him go