Deleterious

They don't have to worry about paying Duren for another 15 months. Unless he takes a team friendly deal like Stew did there is zero reason to sign him this year. From Duren's side, there is also no reason for him to sign this summer. If he thinks he is an up and comer he would be better off putting another season, and another playoff run, on his resume. This summer, he can't negotiate with other teams. So he has no external pressure to put on Detroit to give him a larger deal. Wait until summer of 2026 and actually enter free agency so he can negotiate with everyone. It is also a decent FA class that summer, so teams are starting to maneuver to open up cap space. Another plus for a guy like Duren. If he stinks it up in this years playoffs, you have to give considerable thought to trading him this summer. If you feel Ausar is part of this team's future, I don't see how Duren also is. You can't play two guys at once that are not a threat from more than 5 feet from the basket. The picture will be a bit more clear after the playoffs.

Being a rookie is expensive.

Cavs up 18 on Milwaukee with 4 minutes left in the game. Chance to gain a game on the Bucks.

Come on JB. If they are picking up Cade 3/4 quart you can't let him bring the ball up. He will be dead on his feet by time the 4th quarter starts.

Man, that Clingan guy is massive. Duren is a big guy and he looks like a little kid next to him.

Wow that was an impressive dunk over Stew.

Fastbreak 3 for Beasley and a fastbreak 2 for Holland. Both started off of Stewarts defense at the rim.

At this point I don't even know why guys challenge Stew at the rim.

We are Cavs fans tonight. They are up 11 on Milwaukee in the 2nd quarter.

Big thanks to @Tigeraholic1 for the game threads. We appreciate it. Looking forward to playoff game threads.

Yeah, Portland isn't a pushover. Rough week in general. 5 games in 7 nights. Including a game next Saturday against OKC. A flight back from the west coast thrown in. One bit of luck. We play back to back home games against Washington.

Didn't even think of him. But he just might be come June.

Who is the best white American player in the league today? Guys like Cade do not count. And I mean that in the most non grand wizard way possible.

Milwaukee also lost last night. So couldn't gain ground on both of those teams losing. But we didn't lose any either. 5.5 games behind NYK for the 3rd seed 2 games behind Milwaukee for the 4th seed 1 game behind Indiana for the 5th seed 5 games ahead of Atlanta for the 6th seed

That was a long game. 77 combined FTA's.

Sucks they couldn't capitalize on the Pacers loss.

Really dumb Cade. Getting the ball stripped 45 feet from the basket.

The woman behind the Pistons bench with a half shaved head has made some interesting fashion choices.

So Steph comes over to talk **** and Stew ushers him away from the bench and Stew gets a tech?

Come on Ausar. Get your body on that guy.