Interesting tidbit from the Hoop Collective Podcast. The Pistons are not applying for the disabled player exception for Ivey. They probably believe that Ivey can be back for the playoff.
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I think that probably overstates it. I think itās more likely that they think the whatever % chance he can return is more valuable than whoever they can add with an additional $4 million (Iām roughly estimating his pro-rated salary) when theyāre already $15 mil under the cap.
ie āwell we wouldnāt really do anything with that few million, so probably better to see if he can play, even if itās unlikelyā
Basically, what are they gonna do with $18.5 million they canāt do with $15 million, and is that worth closing even a remote possibility of using Ivey
(personally, Iād agree with that calculus)
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Pistons are 18th in Adjusted Net Rating now (16th on offense, 15th on defense). Still underwater at -1.26.
9 days ago, Net rating was -1.9
theyāve only improved one spot, but thatās a pretty big jump in 9 days, given I think its like 5 games.
They were 20th offense, 17th defense at the time. Obviously, record wise, the last 2 weeks have been their best stretch of the season. negatively balanced by some mega-losses between Thanksgiving and Christmas
Pistons relative schedule picks up here, which should be interesting (still donāt see how they can miss the playin)
Their last 8 games (7-1), involved 3 teams currently over .500 (one of whom was the Paolo/Franz-less Magic, but they beat all three - Magic, TWolves, Knicks). Combined record 132-181.
Next 8 games do not have a team with a losing record currently (two teams at .500 - the Suns and Hawks). Combined record 186-126.
I know the whistle blows but Victor doesnāt really pull up
Pistons start off the road trip with a big 107-96 win over the Rockets!
Cade 32 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists
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And 10 turnovers! Almost got the quadruple-double!
Cade was great in the 3rd quarter, though.
Durenās best game of the year. 16 points, 14 boards, 3 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks and Iām pretty sure Sengun only got 2 of his buckets against his defense.
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You just have to live with those turnovers because heās basically shouldering the offense. Iād like to see Sasser get more minutes and share the court with him some to take the ball handling load off. Feels like Sasser is figuring things out, at least as a scorer.
Yes and no. Some of his passes were into double-teams and he started the 3rd with one right at Ausarās ankles. Iāll still happily take the overall product for 4 or 5 of those TOās couldāve been easily avoided.
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A modest guy for them to try to get before the deadline, that would have negligible long-term cost but help a ton short term is (seriously) Lonzo Ball.
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Yeah. I saw his name come up in some blog last week and I liked that idea. Especially with their proposed trade-scenario which was Fontecchio and a 2nd round pick.
I kind of think they need Fontecchio just because they donāt have lots of forwards but I also think the cost of Ball would be really negligible. Reinsdorf loves saving cash!
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They being the Bulls or the Pistons? Trading Tek just frees up more minutes for Holland II and Ausar.
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I think the āfreeing [more] minutes for Holland AND Thompsonā and āwinning games this yearā are sort of at odds with each other in the short term
I guess Iām cool whichever way you think they want to go.
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Zo makes a lot of sense for the Pistons. Just wondering what would be the trade comp for Zo. Zo fills the need for another ball handler. Heās not a true PG but would alleviate the ball handling load from Cade. They missed Iveyās ability to do so.
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I just like it because it commits you to nothing after this year (I still keep hearing Pistons and Zach Lavine, which I donāt like at all), so it really doesnāt impact your ability to form a team going forward, takes some ball-handling off of Cade and Sasser, and if Ivey comes back, he fits pretty great as a sub for either as a third guard. Playing great defense this year, jumper coming back to life recently, obviously a transition juicer by himself (something the Pistons could really use).
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Yeah, Zo is a true 3 and D player.
With Langdonās statement and insiders rumblings that the FOās goal has shifted because the Pistons played so much better than expected (which is why Monty is a basketball terrorist) that theyāre not going to sacrifice the team for players like LaVine. They apparently donāt want LaVine to take away Cadeās play which he will if heās traded to the Pistons. Itās not going to be a big splash but a small trade that could impact the team positively. Zo fits that profile IMO. Iāve heard rumor of McCollum, but I donāt like it tbh.
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McCollum honestly sounds a lot like Lavine, lolā¦I guess he can play on ball, which Zach really doesnāt, but Zach is a muuuuuch better scorer. Neither defends.
Big thing about bringing in a high-priced guard with a deal beyond this year isā¦are they better than Ivey? Zach mmmmaaaayyyyy be but he canāt be the PG on the 2nd unit like Ivey is, and I think CJ can be the PG on the 2nd unit but just isnāt as good as Ivey.
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Donāt like Zach, think McCollum could be a good fit.
But what do you do with Jaden Ivey if you trade for CJās $33 mil Contract next year
I think Ivey is flat out better
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