Coach Dwane Casey has embraced the idea of rebuilding, even though it’s not the situation he expected when he joined the Pistons two years ago, writes John Niyo of The Detroit News. Casey thought he was taking over a perennial playoff team, but injuries wrecked Detroit’s season and pushed the franchise in a new direction.
Pistons players have missed a combined 246 games this season, the third-highest total in the league. The most significant injury was the knee issue that forced Blake Griffin to have an arthroscopic procedure in January, his second knee surgery in nine months. That led to the decisions to trade center Andre Drummond, buy out Reggie Jackson and start building for the future.
Detroit will be one of a handful of clubs with cap space this summer, and Casey knows the team needs to use it wisely.
“Even though I want to go out and get every top free agent, we have to be smart,” he said. “It’s gotta be with the future in mind, the right decisions. And if the right free agent doesn’t come along, you don’t just go out and overspend because you have cap room. We have smart people upstairs and I understand that.”
There’s more from Detroit:
- James L. Edwards III of The Athletic projects which current players will remain with the Pistons over the next three seasons. He expects the front office to sign promising big man Christian Wood to a long-term contract this summer and sees few significant changes for next year. Edwards predicts Griffin will be traded before the 2021/22 season, which will be the final one for his current contract, while Luke Kennard will probably be shipped to a contender as well. Edwards believes the team will start moving back toward contention by 2022/23.
- Wood has emerged as a potential star after being waived by the Pelicans last summer and having to win a training camp battle for the final roster spot in Detroit, notes Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer. The Drummond trade created an opportunity, and Wood has responded by averaging 22.0 points and 10.2 rebounds in the 12 games since moving into the starting lineup.
- With just one victory since the All-Star break, the Pistons are increasing their chances for the top pick in the draft, observes Rod Beard of The Detroit News. The three teams with the worst records have equal odds of winning the lottery, and Detroit, which has the league’s fifth-toughest schedule over the rest of the season, is just one game away from joining that group.
Why trade Luke Kennard?
The kids only 23 and is quietly putting up good numbers, 16/3.5/4. He shoots the ball efficiently 44/40/89 and he’s consistently improved every year in the league.
Every single year he gets given more minutes and more shots, and he continues to improve all his shooting percentages each year and also increases his rebounds and assists every year.
Trading him would make no sense unless it meant unloading Blake Griffin.
Maybe
Blake Griffin and Kennard for Randle, Ellington, Ntilikina and a protected first.
Or
Blake Griffin and Kennard for James Johnson and Malik Beasley (sign and trade) and 2 second round picks.
Such cheerleading for losing from Beard/Detroit. They must feel in dire straits there.
Q: *?*
A: No, the Dire Straits are from England. Good guess though.