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[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown: Draft Deep Dive w/Bryce Simon

Breaking down five players who could be Pistons targets

The draft is just around the corner. The PERFECT time to bring in an absolute expert, Bryce Simon of Motor City Hoops, the Pistons Pulse Podcast, Game Theory, and the Motor City Hoops Substack! Blake and Wes interview Bryce about a few names that could peak the Pistons’ interest this year. They discuss the international man of mystery, Hansen Yang; an exciting guard in Ben Saraf; an uber physical forward in Noah Penda; a tremendously skilled stretch big in Maxime Raynaud; and a plug and play drop coverage big in Ryan Kalkbrenner.

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode.

Detroit Bad Boys YouTube

Follow Wes Davenport on Twitter @TheRealWesD3

Follow Blake Silverman on Twitter @BlakeSilverman

Follow Sean Corp on Twitter @sean_corp

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast is your home for fan-driven Pistons content. Hosted by Wes Davenport, from Motor City Hoops and producer of the Pistons Pulse Podcast, and Blake Silverman, DBB’s resident draft expert covering both the Pistons and the Motor City Cruise. The guys bring a reasoned analysis to a uniquely interactive show. And if you want to hear your voice on the podcast, call (313) 355-2717 and leave your question as a voicemail. The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/6/15/24448985/the-pindown-draft-deep-dive-w-bryce-simon

 

[Detroit Pistons]

For the Pistons to make another leap, they need to find a second star

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Despite their accomplishments, the Pistons need to find their Pascal Siakam — soon

The Indiana Pacers run to the NBA Finals has got me thinking.

They’re a team with a budding superstar in Tyrese Haliburton, and a supporting cast that fits his skills to a tee. They’re led by one of the best coaches in the game in Rick Carlisle and, top to bottom, the roster just make sense.

Everyone from Haliburton to Thomas Bryant fits.

But I’m not here to espouse the virtues of the 2025 Eastern Conference champs.

As great as Haliburton has been in this playoff coming out party, he’s got one hell of a sidekick next to him in Pascal Siakam. An All-Star forward with one NBA title and over a full season’s worth of playoff experience, Siakam isn’t just the Robin to Hali’s Batman.

He’s a star in his own regard.

Steadily, we’re moving into an era where the NBA isn’t dominated by Big 3s anymore. Today, two studs plus the right role players and a deep bench are in vogue.

It brings me to the Detroit Pistons.

Here, we’ve got a team with an All-Star in Cade Cunningham — still, in my opinion, a big playoff run away from really busting down the door to superstardom — and… a bunch of guys. Solid guys. Young guys. Fun guys. But, just, guys.

There’s no Siakam here, and until the Pistons have a guy like that, I don’t think they’re equipped to make a run to the NBA Finals like the Pacers have this season.

Even in a WIDEEEEEE OPEN Eastern Conference next season.

After the playoff series loss to the New York Knicks, the conversations do we go for it now or do we bring the band back? Since then, we’ve seen the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and defending champion Boston Celtics upset in the second round — not to mention Boston likely losing MVP candidate Jayson Tatum next season to do a ruptured Achilles tendon.

There’s nuance to this debate, though.

No, the Pistons don’t need to sell the farm to chase a title. They were the sixth seed, one year after one of the worst seasons... ever. That’s asinine. But on the same token, the Pistons re-signing Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway and Dennis Schroder without adding anything other than the No. 37 pick also feels delusional to me.

There’s a middle ground — a needle Trajan Langdon needs to thread — to push this franchise forward without sending it off course. It’s where his job really gets hard.

I think it’s finding a player of Siakam’s caliber.

Look at the final four teams in the playoffs. The Pacers had Siakam and the Thunder Jalen Williams. The Knicks with Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves with Rudy Gobert. You can crack on KAT and Gobert for days, but of those dudes can ball. They’d be welcome additions who would elevate a team like the Pistons to new heights.

I don’t know if I see that guy on the roster in Detroit right now.

Cunningham can only carry the Pistons so far. There’s more to unlock there, but he’s not LeBron in that every year you can pencil his team in as a contender to win the East — no matter what shape the rest of the roster is in.

He needs a Robin. He needs someone who could be the MVP of a conference finals, someone who can go out and score 30 points in a playoff game like Siakam did in Game 5 against the Knicks.

Mayyyyyyybeeeeeeee the Pistons have that guy and I’m just too cynical to see the forest from the trees, unable to forecast 2-3 years in the future. I’d be very surprised if anyone other than Cade came out and made the All-Star team next year.

With the Orlando Magic making a big swing for Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane on Sunday, the Pistons have, in my opinion, been passed in the Eastern Conference hierarchy:

1. Indiana Pacers
2. New York Knicks
3. Orlando Magic
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Boston Celtics/Detroit Pistons

Obviously, we’ve got a lot of offseason to go and Bane — who fits like a glove with the Magic roster and their style of play while still being young enough to fit their timeline — is just the first of many dominos to fall.

The Pistons’ offseason can go a number of ways, but with rival teams already seizing the opportunity to make a run in this new, weakened Eastern Conference, Detroit needs to keep up or risk being left behind.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...ther-step-they-need-to-find-a-second-nba-star

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pacers vs. Thunder GameThread: Two teams seeking an advantage

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

A series for the real basketball heads is all tied up

This NBA Finals series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder might not be for the casual basketball fan. But it is a series that will turn any casual basketball fan who happens to be watching into an NBA lifer. This series seems to have it all. High drama, two teams playing in top form (fun catastrophic sequences here or there aside), last-second scoring, incredible, high degree-of-diffculty shooting. And it’s just damn fun. Notted up at 2-2, the two teams now seek to gain the upper hand as the series heads into a final (maximum, but seemingly inevitable) three-game stretch. The Pacers let game 4 slip away and with it, a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Thunder came back and fought hard, but in no sense does it feel like they have taken control of the series. This is still anybody’s finals to win. Can’t wait to see who does it.

Game Vitals​

When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Watch: ABC
Odds: Thunder -9.5

Projected Lineups​

Indiana Pacers (2-2)​

Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner

Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2)​

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...der-gamethread-two-teams-seeking-an-advantage

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Submit your questions for The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

Tune in live Friday at 6 p.m. ET to join in on the conversation.

It’s mailbag time!

Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything NBA draft and Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Friday at 6 p.m. ET for the show where we’ll talk offseason and look ahead to the draft. With the draft on the horizon, what are you expecting out of the Pistons? Would you have paid the price the Orlando Magic did for Desmond Bane? Will we see a big trade involving the Pistons this offseason?

Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.

The podcast will be uploaded to all audio platforms the following morning.

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast Vitals:​

When: Friday June 20 at 6 p.m. ET

Where: Detroit Bad Boys YouTube Channel

How to submit questions:

• Detroit Bad Boys Website: Comment section of the weekly Pindown episode articles.
• Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message to 45 seconds or less.
• Twitter: @detroitbadboys, @blakesilverman or @therealwesd3
• YouTube: Chat section of The Pindown live recording — Subscribe here

As always, leave any questions or topics you want to be discussed in the comment section below.

Listen to the show’s recording the following morning wherever you listen to your podcasts.

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Last Week’s Show:​

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/6/18/24451742/pindown-detroit-pistons-podcast

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Thunder vs. Pacers GameThread: This could be the final game of the NBA season

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Thunder look to take home their first NBA title

Do we love the Oklahoma City Thunder or do we hate the Oklahoma City Thunder? If my social media consumption is to be believed, they seem to be the most hated team in the world. I don’t really get it. It’s not that I love watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grift his way into 10 foul shots. But I do love seeing him work his way into a gorgeous jumper. I don’t understand what you can have against Jalen Williams, who is like 10 times better than anybody ever thought he’d be. Chet Holmgren is charmingly out of his depth as an extremely talented but extremely young, big, gangly dude who you can always notice on the floor. The supporting cast plays hard. Again, I don’t get it.

It’s harder for me to love the Indiana Pacers, but that is probably just Detroit Pistons-fueled Central Division bias. I’ve never really loved Myles Turner, especially as his defense has regressed, and Tyrese Haliburton seemingly wants you to hate him. TJ McConnell is like that small popcorn husk that sticks to the roof of your mouth. Bennedict Mathurin does four things a game that make me feel insane, and not in a good way. It’s a strange team. But the games are always entertaining.

Now we are at the eve of what might be the final contest between these two squads in the finals, and the final game of the NBA season. The Thunder are up 3-2 and looking to take the title home. The Pacers are hoping to live to fight another day, but Haliburton is hobbled and Indy is running out of options.

Game Vitals​

When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: ABC
Odds: Thunder -5.5

Projected Lineups​

Oklahoma City Thunder (3-2)​

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein

Indiana Pacers (2-3)​

Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...his-could-be-the-final-game-of-the-nba-season

 

[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown: To Trade or Not to Trade?

Breaking down the Pistons options for the upcoming NBA draft and debating the path forward with trade season in full swing.

Ahead of Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Blake and Wes look ahead to next week’s NBA draft. They break down whether there is an opportunity for the Pistons to trade up into the first round and examine potential trade partners. With trade season in full swing, where do we land on the many fake trades involving the Pistons that have been circulating online? And who will be the long-term No. 2 option to Cade Cunningham?

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode.

You can watch the entire episode on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Want to hear your voice on the Pindown? Call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(313) 355-2717⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and leave your question as a voicemail! The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/6/22/24453638/the-pindown-to-trade-or-not-to-trade

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Pacers vs. Thunder Gamethread: Game 7 for the season

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

It's title time

The Indiana Pacers have taken the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The entire season comes down to one 48-minute contest. The league MVP against the peskiest team in the NBA.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/6/22/24453895/pacers-vs-thunder-gamethread-game-7-for-the-season

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Jake LaRavia interested in playing for an up-and-coming team like the Pistons

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Pistons could use an upgrade at power forward behind Tobias Harris

It sounds like if you are an NBA veteran who can’t shoot, the Detroit Pistons under Trajan Langdon are not interested. Langdon proved that last year by focusing on signings and trades that netted Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., Paul Reed, and Dennis Schröder.

As he goes into his second offseason, having built the Pistons into a young playoff team with room to grow, he has less maneuverability but also fewer needs. One area where the Pistons were clearly deficient was at power forward behind starter Tobias Harris. Simone Fontecchio never really got untracked after offseason foot surgery. His shot wasn’t as reliable as it needed to be, and he didn’t have the size to hold up against any beefy power forwards. Ausar Thompson is a great defender, but not only does he lack a certain amount of beef, he’s a total non-entity as a shooter.

If the Pistons have a clearly defined hole in their lineup, it’s one that Jake LaRavia wouldn’t mind filling. The three-year veteran is coming off his best season as a pro, split between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings.

“LaRavia mentioned Orlando, Detroit, San Antonio, and Denver as possible teams he would want to play for,” writes Basketball Insiders in a wide-ranging interview with the 6-foot-8 big man.

“When it comes down to it, you need 3-point shooting, you need defense,“ he told the publication. “Every team needs a player like that, a taller wing that can play both sides of the ball, that can defend, be gritty, that can make shots.”

Not only does LaRavia seem interested, he also seems like a guy who Langdon and head coach JB Bickerstaff would take a shine to. He’s a hard-nosed and smart defender, and his shot diet was pristine, at least in Memphis.

Thirty percent of his shots last season came within three feet and 57% came within 10. Thirty-seven percent were threes. He shot roughly 60% in the restricted area and 42% from deep last season.

There’s nothing more Detroit than somebody dying to do the dirty work and be the role player who gets the job done. LaRavia sees himself as the role player who can serve as a perfect complement to a star like Cade Cunningham, who attracts outsized attention and more than his share of double teams.

“Stars on the team are gonna get double-teamed, they’re gonna get blitzed,” LaRavia told Basketball Insiders. “[Teams are] going to make role players beat us instead of the star player.”

LaRavia is a player who has shone more often than not when given opportunities on the floor, but playing for a deep Memphis team or dealing with nagging injuries have limited so far in his brief NBA tenure.

The Pistons have a limited budget, but they do seem like they are eager to add size, strength, and shooting to its core lineup. LaRavia could be the perfect kind of bargain opportunity. He’s still not 24, he’s proven he can guard multiple positions, he’s a legit 6-foot-8 who is also a legit 3-point shooter. He could be part of all kinds of mix-and-match lineups with Thompson, Cunningham, and/or Ivey. He’s a good player young enough to keep growing alongside the core.

He could be the kind of role player the Pistons need if they’re looking to take the next step.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-detroit-pistons-jake-laravia-cade-cunningham

 

[Detroit Pistons]

NBA Draft: A quiet night expected for Pistons on first night of draft

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Pistons do not have a pick in the first round of the NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is here, and for once, Detroit Pistons fans are not worried in the slightest. That is because the Pistons do not have a first-round pick, and are good enough and young enough, that the sense of FOMO is not kicking in.

The Pistons lost their pick (No. 17) in a draft-night trade that netted them Isaiah Stewart in 2020. The Minnesota Timberwolves currently own that pick. The NBA also decided to split the NBA Draft up into two nights, so the real action doesn’t start for Detroit until Thursday evening when they are slated to select at No. 37 with a pick that originally belonged to the Toronto Raptors.

For a team that has historically not just picked in the lottery, but picked in the top 5 (mostly at No. 5 because the lottery gods and math are often cruel), it is strange to not be poring tirelessly over college prospects and wondering which one person is going to be the one to turn the Pistons’ fortunes entirely around.

We don’t need a savior anymore in Detroit. That is because we not only have Cade Cunningham, selected first overall in 2021, but a solid roster of young talent surrounding him, and a solid group of veterans surrounding them.

Barring a trade, the Pistons will enter next season with an intriguing roster of young players in Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, and Ron Holland. There is a chance the Pistons could trade up into the first round to grab a player at a position of need. Or the Pistons could surprise everyone and trade a core piece for a package that could include players and picks.

Most likely, though, it will be a run-it-back kind of offseason. That means the Pistons will be looking for a best player available in the second round, and if that player happens to be a big man who can shoot, a beefy forward who can play both ends, or a reliable point guard with range, all the better.

In the meantime, we will see how tonight’s selections change the NBA landscape around Detroit. The Pistons are a playoff team, after all. Some of the teams above and below them will get better. Others worse. I’m just glad to have one season where I don’t feel duty bound to grind tape. Instead, I’m interested in whatever comes and looking forward to next season.

So we will use this space to chat through NBA Draft night, figure out who we need to worry about, clown the reaches, and start itching for a Pistons trade up that will surely never come as our respective favorite players start falling down the draft boards. Sounds like fun!

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...-expected-for-pistons-on-first-night-of-draft

 

[Detroit Pistons]

NBA Draft: Detroit Pistons select sharpshooter Chaz Lanier in second round

Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons selected Chaz Lanier, who made the most three-pointers in a single season in program history for the Tennessee Volunteers last season, with the 37th overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Lanier was spotlighted by our own Ryan Caldwell in his second-round preview. Here is what he wrote:

Lanier is a top shooting prospect in this year’s draft and followed in Dalton Knecht’s footsteps as a Tennessee transfer to absolutely light it up from beyond the arc. This season, Chaz averaged 18 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 43% from the floor and 39.5% from three on 8.2 attempts per game. The six-foot-five guard has good length with a six-foot-nine wingspan and he also tested very well in lane agility drills as well as for max vertical. This length and athleticism should aid him in being able to hold up on the defensive end of the court where he will need to improve at the next level.

Lanier, standing 6-foot-3.75 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, spent his first four seasons with North Florida before transferring to Tennessee. With the Vols, he averaged 18 points, including averaging more than three made threes per game.

It is yet more evidence that Pistons president Trajan Langdon is locked into surrounding star Cade Cunningham with as many complementary shooting role players as he can. Lanier is also pegged as a true movement shooter, making 36% of his threes off the dribble last season.

He’s not projected to be anything more than a shooter, however. He’s got athletic and defensive limitations, and will not really be a complementary ball handler. Think of him as a bigger, stronger Marcus Sasser.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/pist...t-detroit-pistons-chaz-lanier-in-second-round

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Rumor: Detroit Pistons showing interest in Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Versatile guard can defend multiple positions and hit 3s

After Naz Reid, a prospective free agent target for the Detroit Pistons, signed a $125 million multi-year deal to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Pistons seem to be shifting their focus to one of his teammates, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Jake Fischer reports that the Pistons could be preparing to make a run at NAW with Reid now off the market. The Pistons have also expressed previous interest in Santi Aldama of the Memphis Grizzlies, who could be a candidate for a sign-and-trade deal. Aldama, like Reid, would add a perimeter-shooting big to the Pistons’ lineup. Aldama, however, is much more locked in at power forward than a player like Reid, who could play heavy minutes at center.

Alexander-Walker is none of those things. In fact, he seems to be carving out a role in the NBA as a secondary ball-handler and not as a traditional wing on offense. He stands at 6-foot-5 and has a 6-foot-9 wingspan.

He can guard multiple positions along the perimeter and has hit 39% of his threes the past three seasons.

NAW would certainly have plenty of suitors around the NBA, but there are rumblings he is a candidate to relocate to a new team because the Wolves have Reid (already signed) and Julius Randle (impending free agent) higher on their pecking order.

If the Pistons were able to land Alexander-Walker, he would most immediately replace Tim Hardaway Jr. and would likely also fill Dennis Schröder's role as a backup point guard.

If I’m able to speculate a bit, it feels like the Pistons might not field a “traditional” backup point guard but instead treat it as a responsibility shared by Jaden Ivey and Alexander-Walker, with both players getting a heavy dose of minutes at the other wing positions as well.

According to Marc Stein, the Sacramento Kings reportedly have Schröder at the top of their free agent wish list. Stein has called the Kings the “leading suitor” for Detroit’s incumbent backup point guard.

Alternatively, a heavy investment in Alexander-Walker could signal a slight hesitation to investing long-term in Jaden Ivey. Ivey and big man Jalen Duren are both eligible for contract extensions this offseason.

Nobody, including the Pistons, know precisely how things will play out with either Ivey or Duren, but Detroit needs to be building game plans around the idea of a future where one or both is on long-term deals and the Pistons are still able to build toward a title, a future where they kick the can down the road and let one or more enter restricted free agency, or come to the conclusion their best future lies elsewhere and be prepared to get value for one or both of their young players in a trade.

Like I said, I don’t personally believe interest in NAW necessarily tips their hand regarding their feelings on Ivey, but the current Timberwolf won’t come cheap, and a long-term investment in Cade Cunningham, Ivey, Alexander-Walker, and Pistons free agent Malik Beasley would be ... well, really expensive.

What do you think? Do you want to see Alexander-Walker in Detroit next season? Do you think that means Ivey will not have a long-term home in Detroit? And what about Jalen Duren?

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...umor-detroit-pistons-nickeil-alexander-walker

 

[Detroit Pistons]

The Pindown: Introducing Chaz Lanier

Breaking down Chaz Lanier’s game and more!

At the conclusion of the second night of the NBA draft, we finally have the first bit of real Pistons news since the Playoffs. Chaz Lanier is your newest Piston after being selected with the 37th pick in the draft. The Pistons were quite through both nights, choosing to stand pat at take the board as it falls for them. Wes and Blake break down Lanier, what is strengths are and what his role may be. Does this impact the free agency of Tim Hardaway Jr. or Malik Beasley? What does this selection tell us about the mindset of the front office?

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode.

Detroit Bad Boys YouTube

Follow Wes Davenport on Twitter @TheRealWesD3

Follow Blake Silverman on Twitter @BlakeSilverman

Follow Sean Corp on Twitter @sean_corp

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast is your home for fan-driven Pistons content. Hosted by Wes Davenport, from Motor City Hoops and producer of the Pistons Pulse Podcast, and Blake Silverman, DBB’s resident draft expert covering both the Pistons and the Motor City Cruise. The guys bring a reasoned analysis to a uniquely interactive show. And if you want to hear your voice on the podcast, call (313) 355-2717 and leave your question as a voicemail. The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/6/28/24457519/the-pindown-introducing-chaz-lanier

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Report: Pistons ‘gauging the trade market’ for forward Simone Fontecchio

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Forward struggled last season after offseason foot surgery

The Detroit Pistons are reportedly gauging the trade market for reserve forward Simone Fontecchio as it explores sign-and-trade and free agency options, according to NBA reporter Michael Scotto.

Fontecchio received a two-year, $16 million contract last offseason after a promising start to his Detroit Pistons tenure. However, the Italian sharpshooter struggled throughout last season following offseason foot surgery and never really got untracked.

He his just 33.5% from deep on three attempts per game last season. That was a far cry from the 42% and 6.3 attempts during his 16-game stint with the Pistons following a mid-season trade with the Utah Jazz.

Fontecchio was supposed to be the primary backup behind starter Tobias Harris, who could play respectable defense and be one of the team’s most reliable 3-point threats. It never really came together. By the time the playoffs rolled around, he was stuck on the bench.

The Detroit Pistons are looking to navigate some uncertain terrain as it prepares to take the next step after a promising season. Their primary offseason mission — signing Malik Beasley to a long-term deal — was thrown into chaos after it was reported that the guard is the subject of a federal investigation related to NBA gambling.

Fontecchio, on an expiring $8 million deal, is a prime asset the team can use on the trade market as it looks to either clear money off its books or to use as part of a potential sign-and-trade for another player.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...torit-pistons-simone-fontecchio-malik-beasley

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Report: Dennis Schroder agrees to deal with Sacramento Kings

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Pistons lose valuable playoff contributor

Detroit Pistons free agent point guard Dennis Schöder is agreeing to a new deal with the Sacramento Kings, according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz. The Kings have long been rumored as the biggest suitor for Schröder this offseason.

Schröder arrived in Detroit in a mid-season trade and played a key role in Detroit’s push into the playoffs. No details about the size of the deal or whether it was a straight free agent signing or a sign-and-trade were immediately available.

The 12-year NBA veteran averaged 10.8 points and 5.3 assists per game during his time with the Pistons.

Detroit has less of a need for a significant point guard investment with the expected return of Jaden Ivey and more plans to use Ausar Thompson as a ball handler. However, the Pistons traded for Schöder in the first place because the team found itself without a natural point guard behind Cade Cunningham when Ivey was lost to a broken leg. If Ivey were to get injured again, or if Cade went down for any time, the Pistons would once again find themselves struggling to have a facilitator on the floor for long stretches of the game.

We will see if the Pistons are comfortable going into next season without that traditional backup point slot filled.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...roit-pistons-dennis-schroder-sacramento-kings

 

[Detroit Pistons]

Trade Rumor: Pistons could add Malik Monk in sign-and-trade deal

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Detroit and Sacramento could swap guards

As the first day of free agency crept toward midnight, interesting murmurs started burbling throughout NBA media. There were indications that the Detroit Pistons could be working with a sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings that would see the two franchises swap guards, with Dennis Schöder headed to Cali and Malik Monk destined for Detroit.

The most prominent figure to surface this particular rumor was Jake Fischer, who noted, “An emerging option for the Pistons, sources say, is Detroit trading for Kings guard Malik Monk. Sounds like there’s a chance this deal, if agreed to, could turn into a sign-and-trade that brings Dennis Schroder to Sacramento.”

There is an inherent logic to the move. The Kings have long been rumored to have Schröder at the top of their offseason priority list, and within the opening hour of free agency, there was a report that the Kings had agreed in principle on a two-year, $28 million deal for the point guard.

Things went quiet, however, and people began wondering if the delay was because the two sides were looking to expand into a sign-and-trade that could work for both parties.

The Pistons were on their back foot a bit, having to quickly recalibrate offseason plans after news emerged that Malik Beasley is under federal investigation tied to NBA betting. With his availability in doubt, Detroit reportedly scuttled plans to sign the sharpshooter to a three-year, $42 deal.

The Pistons did come to terms with wing Caris LeVert, but he is much more of a slasher and scorer. His perimeter game is mostly tied to effective shooting from the corners, and he’s certainly not the volume or movement shooter that Beasley is.

Monk would add another perimeter threat to the Pistons, but the King guard’s reputation as a shooter might be much larger than his actual output. He was drafted with the expectation he’d be one of the league’s top perimeter threats, but he never really put it together after being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets.

After four disappointing seasons, he found a new home in LA and blossomed. He made 39% of his 5.8 threes per game. He made 56% of his twos. He was a dangerous offensive weapon. The next season, he landed in Sacramento and was in the running for sixth man of the year.

Alas, his run with the Kings has gotten progressively worse. His 3-point shot abandoned him after that fateful season in LA. He shot 35%, 35%, and 32% in his three seasons in Sacramento. That doesn’t mean he’s not a dangerous offensive player. Even last season, in an extremely trying year where he was played mostly out of position in Sacramento, he shot 57% from within 8 feet, 47% from 8-16 feet, and 42% from 16-24 feet.

The problem could be that Monk is most effective in ways similar to new Piston Caris LeVert and incumbent Piston Jaden Ivey. If they all want the ball in their hand, if they all want to drive and create, and if they are not dangerous enough from deep to create space for their teammates, what are you really accomplishing here?

Wouldn’t you want one of LeVert or Monk and not both?

There is a chance that the Pistons wouldn’t be done adding. There are persistent rumors of interest in Duncan Robinson, which would necessitate another sign-and-trade deal. The team could also bring back one or both of Tim Hardaway Jr. or Malik Beasley.

Beasley’s legal troubles make a long-term deal untenable, but a one-year pact could make sense as the legal process is unlikely to end soon.

However, the more guards and wings you add, the more the Pistons are displacing their existing guards and wings. The Pistons still need to carve out serious playing time for Ausar Thompson, and they’d probably like to see Ron Holland get a little more burn.

The logic for Monk is much clearer in the absence of LeVert and vice versa. Now the Pistons might be adding both. And if they do, they still need to add more shooting.

This is turning into a much more interesting offseason (not strictly a compliment) than anticipated.

Source: https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2025...or-detroit-pistons-malik-monk-dennis-schroder