Hoops Rumors

As his Pistons continue to improve into a frisky play-in-caliber team this season, guard Jaden Ivey has grown increasingly more comfortable in clutch moments, observes Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Patterson writes that the Pistons have gone 8-4 when Ivey scores 19 or more points. A confident Ivey scored six of his 19 points — including his second game-winning bucket of the … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Ivey, Cunningham, Mobley, Lillard

Damian Lillard, who has missed the Bucks‘ past four games due to a calf issue and an illness, will return to action on Saturday against Chicago, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes (via Twitter). Speaking to reporters after today’s shootaround, Lillard explained that the calf injury, which caused him to miss games last Friday and Saturday, was a “mild” strain and that the illness … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Lillard, B. Brown, Poeltl, Stewart, M. Robinson

Should the Bulls give Josh Giddey a long-term contract? Giddey, currently sidelined by an ankle sprain, will be a restricted free agent after the season. Head coach Billy Donovan believes the fourth-year guard can be a foundation piece for the franchise. “I think like any player, coach, we all need to get better, so I’ll just start there,” Donovan told Joe Cowley of the Chicago … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Giddey, Mitchell, Cunningham, Beasley

The Pistons won only 14 games last season, their worst in franchise history. With a new head coach and revamped front office, the Pistons are no longer a laughingstock. In many games last season, the Pistons looked overmatched from the opening tip. Thanks to some veteran upgrades, the Pistons have put up a fight in most games this season. Following road wins against the Suns … [Read more...] about Community Shootaround: Pistons Postseason Chances

Team executives who spoke to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider link) at the G League Winter Showcase over the weekend identified the Pistons as an important team to watch as the February 6 trade deadline approaches. Detroit is the only NBA club currently operating under the cap, with about $14MM in room available. Many teams around the league are either prohibited from taking back … [Read more...] about Pistons Notes: Cap Room, Fontecchio, Klintman, Gores