The Magic traded major assets to acquire Desmond Bane . Should the Pistons make a similar move at this stage?
According to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required), Detroit may be more patient because of its financial situation. As Sankofa points out, Orlando has already signed multiple players to big extensions, which will lead to a large payroll beginning next season. Other than Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart , the Pistons’ front office has yet to give out lucrative extensions to its young players. That buys them more time to lean on player development, rather than taking a big swing on the trade market.
Here’s more on the Central Division:
- On a smaller scale, the Pistons could look to make a trade if they wish to move into the first round. Their first-round pick was sent to Minnesota but, as Sankofa points out , there are a few teams with multiple first-rounders who may be looking to move one or more of those picks. Detroit has 14 future second-rounders at its disposal to dangle in order to move into the first round. The Nets, Thunder and Magic are among the teams with late first-rounders that could be available.
- Don’t expect Bobby Portis to give the Bucks a discount in free agency. “Obviously, I would love to be back in Milwaukee,” he said on the Run It Back podcast . “I’m not saying I don’t want to come back to the Bucks—I would love to—but I just want to be compensated fairly, man. I’ve taken a lot of team-friendly deals to be here. We’re at a point now where I feel like it’s time I get compensated—fairly—to my peers. That’s all I ask for.” Portis holds a $13.4MM option on his contract for next season but his comments strongly indicate he’ll opt out. Portis was suspended 25 games by the league this season for using a banned drug, but was effective when he played, with averages of 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
- Matas Buzelis met up in Los Angeles with a few of his Bulls teammates earlier this month for workouts and scrimmages. Buzelis has added muscle and looks ready to become a dominant player, according to guard Ayo Dosunmu . “Matas is a hard worker, a tremendous worker,” Dosunmu told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times . “He loves the work. I have high praises for him, high expectations for him. I’m seeing him in person, him getting stronger. He’s starting to realize how strong he is and how he’s able to dominate. I know Giannis is a Hall of Famer, top 20, top 30 player [all time], but Matas has a chance to really dominate the game like that because he’s 6-10, 6-11, and as he continues to get stronger, continues to get in the weight room, he’s only going to get bigger.”