Hoops Rumors

In an interview with Kelsey Russo of The Athletic, Sidney Lowe says a conversation with his long-time friend J.B. Bickerstaff led him to become an assistant coach with the Cavaliers. Lowe, who was on the Pistons’ staff the past three seasons, mentioned his possible availability while they were talking this summer. “And so, we’re just talking, and he wasn’t really aware of my … [Read more...] about Luka Garza May Get Standard Contract Before The Start Of The Season

The Pistons have undergone a total roster overhaul under second-year general manager Troy Weaver. After the recent trade of 2019 first-round pick Sekou Doumbouya to the Nets, no players remain on the roster that Weaver inherited on June 18, 2020. The Pistons’ GM has been very open about his desire to aggressively upgrade the roster for both the short and long-term. After a … [Read more...] about Pistons Notes: Weaver, Direction, Assets, Bartelstein

Bulls All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine is not worried about how he will mesh alongside new starting small forward DeMar DeRozan, per Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. Both players to this point have been primary scorers for their respective clubs. “I don’t get that at all, because that’s just outside narratives,” LaVine said of the on-court collaboration with his pricey new Bulls … [Read more...] about Central Notes: LaVine, Sumner, Pistons, Bucks

Veteran point guard Derrick Walton Jr. is set to sign an Exhibit 10 contract for a reunion with the Pistons, according to James Edwards III of The Athletic (via Twitter). Walton was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree during his NCAA tenure with Michigan. After going undrafted in 2017, Walton saw his first NBA action on a two-way contract for the Heat. He played 16 games with Miami … [Read more...] about Derrick Walton Jr. To Sign Exhibit 10 Contract With Pistons

Blake Griffin admits being upset over internet rumors that he wasn’t giving 100% during his time with the Pistons last season, writes Andrew Hammond of The Detroit Free Press. Griffin, who joined the Nets after agreeing to a buyout with Detroit in February, addressed that topic during an appearance on J.J. Redick‘s podcast, “The Old Man and the Three.” “It bothered me,” Griffin … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Griffin, O’Bryant, Karnisovas, Sexton

The Pistons’ dead money cap hits for DeAndre Jordan will be $7,875,533 in the upcoming season, instead of $9,881,598, and $7,827,907, instead of $9,821,842, in 2022/23, Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets. Jordan gave up $4MM in his buyout agreement after being traded from the Nets and signed with the Lakers after clearing waivers. … [Read more...] about Jordan's Dead Money Hits Determined

The Pistons will not be using the stretch provision on DeAndre Jordan‘s contract, according to James Edwards III of the Athletic (via Twitter). In a follow-up tweet, Edwards says that Jordan was officially waived today. Edwards notes that Jordan gave back $4MM of the $19.7MM that was left on his contract in his buyout agreement with Detroit. As a result, his base salary will by … [Read more...] about Pistons Will Not Use Stretch Provision On DeAndre Jordan

It’s no secret that the Sixers and maximum-salaried All-Star lead ball-handler Ben Simmons appear destined for a divorce via trade. Evan Sidery of Basketball News posits that the pending split could work out well on both sides of the deal. Simmons, 25, is a three-time All-Star and an All-Defensive Team staple. His offensive limitations have often confounded his teammates, … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Simmons, Hornets, Doumbouya, Nets

Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com (Insider link) examines the recent Nets–Pistons trade featuring veteran center DeAndre Jordan, grading both sides and giving his opinion on which team won the trade. Brooklyn, which received an A grade from Pelton, dealt Jordan, four second-round picks and $5.78MM in cash in exchange for Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya. The Pistons, who got a C-plus, … [Read more...] about Grading Recent Nets-Pistons Trade Featuring DeAndre Jordan