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Kristaps Porzingis‘ injury forced the Knicks to change their organizational vision and take a long-term approach to roster building, Nick Zappulla of RealGM writes. New York enters the season with few short-term expectations, something that will make developing the team’s prospects the priority. Instead of signing veterans this offseason with an eye on wins, the team was able … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Knicks, Ntilikina, Pistons

The Pistons need Jon Leuer to earn the $20MM he’s owed over the course of the next two seasons if they’re going to procure the frontcourt depth that they’ll need to compete in the East. Realistically, Keith Langlois of the team’s official site writes, they’ll look for the 29-year-old big man to slot in at both power forward and center and provide solid defense off the bench. … [Read more...] about Realistic Expectations For Jon Leuer In 2018/19

The Pistons entered the 2017/18 campaign with dreams of making the postseason but finished with a 39-43 record and a date with the lottery for the second straight year. The disappointing season brought changes in the Motor City, and with LeBron James out of the Central Division picture, the team may have an opportunity to rise in the standings. Rod Beard of The Detroit News … [Read more...] about Community Shootaround: Detroit Pistons’ Playoff Chances

Fourteen players will participate in a Las Vegas training camp beginning this Thursday, USA Basketball announced today in a press release. Of those 14 players, 12 will be named to Team USA’s roster for the club’s upcoming qualifying games for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. This set of games – the first window for the second round of qualifiers – will take place later this month. Team … [Read more...] about Team USA Announces Camp Roster For September World Cup Qualifiers

Determining the two starters who will join Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson in the lineup is one of the things to watch for during the Pistons’ training camp, according to Keith Langlois of the team’s website. Stanley Johnson, Reggie Bullock and Luke Kennard are the three major candidates for those two slots. Jon Leuer, Henry Ellenson and Zaza Pachulia will vie … [Read more...] about Two Spots In Lineup Up For Grabs

Ed Stefanski has made a lot of progress in his first 100 days as a senior advisor to the Pistons, notes Chris Schwegler of NBA.com. The most significant moves were the hiring of reigning Coach of the Year Dwane Casey, adding Khyri Thomas and Bruce Brown through the draft and signing free agents Glenn Robinson III, Jose Calderon and Zaza Pachulia.Blake Griffin is looking … [Read more...] about Stefanski Making Progress; Griffin Looking Healthy

In a preseason player profile piece, Ansar Khan of MLive.com makes the case that the Pistons need a worthwhile, injury-free campaign from Reggie Jackson in order to have a successful 2018/19 season. Jackson, 28, missed 37 games in 2017/18 due to a severe right ankle sprain that he suffered against the Pacers on December 26th. He eventually returned for the final 12 games of … [Read more...] about Reggie Jackson Looking To Mesh With New-Look Pistons

Shane Rhodes of Basketball Insiders examines some potential surprise teams for the 2018/19 season, suggesting that the Bulls, Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers, and Suns are candidates to exceed expectations. … [Read more...] about Rhodes: Pistons A Potential Surprise Team

Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau shot down reports regarding chemistry issues and Jimmy Butler‘s desire to leave after next season during an appearance at the Minnesota State Fair, Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Butler was supposedly unhappy with his younger teammates and looking to pair up with Kyrie Irving when he can enter free agency next summer. … [Read more...] about Thibodeau Shoots Down Chemistry Concerns

The Pistons have big plans for second-year guard Luke Kennard and he rates as a breakout candidate for the upcoming season, Ben Nadeau of Basketball Insiders writes. Kennard averaged 11.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 2.5 APG during the last 19 games of his rookie season and his role will expand under new coach Dwane Casey, Nadeau continues. Kennard has the ability to play three positions … [Read more...] about Pistons Rumors: Kennard, Ellenson, Smith, Projection