11/14/25 7:30PM 76'ers @ Pistons NBA Cup Group Stage Game 2

[Deleterious]

The big question is whether this will carry over to the playoffs, and I’m still skeptical.

Playing hard every game is great in the regular season, especially with all the travel and back-to-back games where we know teams and players don’t push every night.  If your team really does play hard every game, that becomes a big advantage, and the Pistons are clearly benefiting from that right now.

But in the playoffs, everyone plays hard every single game because the games matter more, you get two or three days off between matchups, and you may only travel once a week with plenty of rest in between.  That’s where the lack of shooting shows up, along with the lack of a true second option to help Cade.

I just hope management doesn’t look at the record and assume the roster is set.  They still need to stay aggressive and improve the team’s overall talent level for the playoffs.

 

 

[buddha]

3 hours ago, Deleterious said:

The big question is whether this will carry over to the playoffs, and I’m still skeptical.

Playing hard every game is great in the regular season, especially with all the travel and back-to-back games where we know teams and players don’t push every night.  If your team really does play hard every game, that becomes a big advantage, and the Pistons are clearly benefiting from that right now.

But in the playoffs, everyone plays hard every single game because the games matter more, you get two or three days off between matchups, and you may only travel once a week with plenty of rest in between.  That’s where the lack of shooting shows up, along with the lack of a true second option to help Cade.

I just hope management doesn’t look at the record and assume the roster is set.  They still need to stay aggressive and improve the team’s overall talent level for the playoffs.

 

 

which is why they need lauri markkanen.

[Deleterious]

20 minutes ago, buddha said:

which is why they need lauri markkanen.

$50 million per year for the next 3 1/2 years, or about a million per game played.

They don't have enough to get him anyway.  

 

[buddha]

6 hours ago, Deleterious said:

$50 million per year for the next 3 1/2 years, or about a million per game played.

They don't have enough to get him anyway.  

 

who can/would offer more?

[casimir]

1 hour ago, buddha said:

who can/would offer more?

Do you mean who can/would offer more in a trade for Markkanen or who (trade target) can/would offer more games played over the next 3 1/2 years?

[Deleterious]

2 hours ago, buddha said:

who can/would offer more?

Anyone who could give them a possible lottery pick.  So, about half of the league.  The Pistons picks will hopefully be in the 20's for the foreseeable future.  They have some value, but not all first round picks are created equal.

What young players can the Pistons offer?  Thompson is the only one with real value, and I'm not interested in moving him.  Ivey?  He has been hurt so long now we don't know what he is.  He needs an extension this summer, which decreases his value.  Duren?  Rim running centers that don't play defense do not have a lot of value.  Even if you disagree, Utah already has a center, one that plays defense and protects the rim.  One that has more value IMO.  Duren also needs a new contract, which decreases his value.  Holland?  He is a throw in piece at this point, not a central figure in a big trade.  

Toss in the fact Ainge is a bastard to deal with in trades.  He wants  $1.10 on the dollar for his assets.  

 

[buddha]

1 hour ago, Deleterious said:

Anyone who could give them a possible lottery pick.  So, about half of the league.  The Pistons picks will hopefully be in the 20's for the foreseeable future.  They have some value, but not all first round picks are created equal.

What young players can the Pistons offer?  Thompson is the only one with real value, and I'm not interested in moving him.  Ivey?  He has been hurt so long now we don't know what he is.  He needs an extension this summer, which decreases his value.  Duren?  Rim running centers that don't play defense do not have a lot of value.  Even if you disagree, Utah already has a center, one that plays defense and protects the rim.  One that has more value IMO.  Duren also needs a new contract, which decreases his value.  Holland?  He is a throw in piece at this point, not a central figure in a big trade.  

Toss in the fact Ainge is a bastard to deal with in trades.  He wants  $1.10 on the dollar for his assets.  

 

ok, half the league.  who would that be?  what team desperate enough for that type of shooting would do that?

atlanta?  houston?  

[Deleterious]

14 minutes ago, buddha said:

ok, half the league.  who would that be?  what team desperate enough for that type of shooting would do that?

atlanta?  houston?  

No legit contenders.  They won't risk a third of their cap space on a guy that will only play 60% of their games.  So Houston is a no.  Plus, they should focus more on a PG type.  Atlanta pairing KP and Markkanen?  Jesus, you would be lucky to get 100 games played combined from them. 

It will be a team that is between a 5th seed and somewhere around the playin level.  A team that needs to take a big risk to take that next step.  Milwaukee, Philly, Chicago, Toronto, Phoenix, Portland, Clippers, maybe Sacramento.  Teams like that, probably.

[buddha]

23 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

No legit contenders.  They won't risk a third of their cap space on a guy that will only play 60% of their games.  So Houston is a no.  Plus, they should focus more on a PG type.  Atlanta pairing KP and Markkanen?  Jesus, you would be lucky to get 100 games played combined from them. 

It will be a team that is between a 5th seed and somewhere around the playin level.  A team that needs to take a big risk to take that next step.  Milwaukee, Philly, Chicago, Toronto, Phoenix, Portland, Clippers, maybe Sacramento.  Teams like that, probably.

the only one of those teams who can offer the assets the pistons can offer are chicago and toronto and sacramento (i think).

the only one close enough to make an all in move is detroit. 

[Deleterious]

9 minutes ago, buddha said:

the only one of those teams who can offer the assets the pistons can offer are chicago and toronto and sacramento (i think).

the only one close enough to make an all in move is detroit. 

A rebuilding team would take McCain from Philly over anything Detroit has.  He looked good in a short time as a rookie last year, and more important, has 3 1/2 more years on a cheap contract.

Portland has a bunch of picks they could throw at Utah.  Including the possibility of an unprotected Milwaukee pick in 2028 and the right to swap picks with Milwaukee in 2029.  Those could be valuable if Giannis bolts.  

Rollins is locked up for $4 million per year for another 2 1/2 years.  Utah would take him over Ivey/Duren/Holland.  Not sure Milwaukee would trade him, but they might to try and appease Giannis.  

You get the point.  

[buddha]

7 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

A rebuilding team would take McCain from Philly over anything Detroit has.  He looked good in a short time as a rookie last year, and more important, has 3 1/2 more years on a cheap contract.

Portland has a bunch of picks they could throw at Utah.  Including the possibility of an unprotected Milwaukee pick in 2028 and the right to swap picks with Milwaukee in 2029.  Those could be valuable if Giannis bolts.  

Rollins is locked up for $4 million per year for another 2 1/2 years.  Utah would take him over Ivey/Duren/Holland.  Not sure Milwaukee would trade him, but they might to try and appease Giannis.  

You get the point.  

i understand your argument, but i think youre trying too hard to make the point so you can say detroit doesnt have any assets.  or enough assets.  people may see detroit's players differently than you do.  you see detroit players every day and see all their warts.  those other guys you mentioned - rollins, mccain - likely have warts too.  utah may see ivey from his purdue days as a better play, or duren's potential.

the pistons are not without assets and utah may value 5 first rounders plus ivey and holland more than one first rounder in the top 10ish.  yes, i know ivey is an unknown and about to likely get expensive.  they may value duncan robinson's $25 million off the books next year (unlikely, but still potentially depending on what else they think they can do).  we dont know what others are willing to give up for markannen considering his very spotty health history and impending very large extension.  thus, a team like detroit may be willing to take on that risk for all of its future top picks that other clubs may not be willing to do.

[Deleterious]

1 hour ago, buddha said:

i understand your argument, but i think youre trying too hard to make the point so you can say detroit doesnt have any assets.  or enough assets.  people may see detroit's players differently than you do.  you see detroit players every day and see all their warts.  those other guys you mentioned - rollins, mccain - likely have warts too.  utah may see ivey from his purdue days as a better play, or duren's potential.

the pistons are not without assets and utah may value 5 first rounders plus ivey and holland more than one first rounder in the top 10ish.  yes, i know ivey is an unknown and about to likely get expensive.  they may value duncan robinson's $25 million off the books next year (unlikely, but still potentially depending on what else they think they can do).  we dont know what others are willing to give up for markannen considering his very spotty health history and impending very large extension.  thus, a team like detroit may be willing to take on that risk for all of its future top picks that other clubs may not be willing to do.

I think your argument would be stronger if Ivey and Duren were locked up on long term deals.  But both are headed to restricted free agency this summer, and that lowers their value.

Markkanen is Utah's biggest trade chip right now.  If you trade him for a package built around Duren, you have basically just committed yourself to matching any offer he gets this summer.  What if some team throws a $35 million offer at him?  You really want to pay Jalen Duren $35 million a year?  The alternative is let him walk and now you turned Markkenan into a handful of draft picks in the 20's.  Picks you will never make because you are about to get fired.

I agree that Robinson's contract has value, but not to a team like Utah he is under the cap.  You would be better off looking at contenders for him.  Teams looking to get under one of the aprons or luxury tax penalty.  But I don't know if they can afford to lose his shooting.  Maybe they can move him this summer.

[1984Echoes]

17 hours ago, buddha said:

which is why they need lauri markkanen.

Yes please.

[1984Echoes]

3 hours ago, Deleterious said:

...

I agree that Robinson's contract has value, but not to a team like Utah he is under the cap...

Harris, not Robertson, as an expiring contract.

[Deleterious]

I'm going to regret this.  But can anyone layout what a Markennan trade looks like?

[1984Echoes]

Markkanen for Harris, Ivey, Holland... and however many 1sts and 2nds it takes to convince them...

[Betrayer]

On 11/16/2025 at 12:50 AM, buddha said:

which is why they need lauri markkanen. Trey Murphy III or Jaren Jackson Jr.

Fixed that for you  🙂

[buddha]

1 hour ago, Betrayer said:

Fixed that for you  🙂

well sure, but those two arent getting traded.

[Deleterious]

5 minutes ago, buddha said:

well sure, but those two arent getting traded.

I think JJJ could possibly be moved if they ship Morant out.  Depends what the trade brings back, I suppose.