Hamidou Diallo gave the Pistons an example of why GM Troy Weaver coveted him so much during their victory over Toronto on Monday, James Edwards III of The Athletic writes. Diallo sparked the club with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Diallo, a restricted free agent after the season, was acquired earlier this month from Oklahoma City for swingman Svi Mykhailiuk and a 2027 second-round pick. From all accounts, the Pistons want to retain Diallo, Edwards adds.
“He’s an athletic young man who is just scratching the surface of what he can be in this league,” coach Dwane Casey said.
We have more on the Pistons:
- Casey said that energy and communication are two big things he looks for from a player on a 10-day contract and Tyler Cook has fulfilled those requirements, Edwards tweets. The Pistons signed the forward to a second 10-day deal on Sunday. Detroit will have to decide by April 6 whether to offer Cook a standard contract or look at another player.
- Weaver acquired two second-round picks along with Cory Joseph in the trade that sent Delon Wright to Sacramento and that made the Kings’ offer attractive, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. “A lot of times people see those as throwaway picks. I don’t see them as throwaway picks,” Weaver said. “I see them as picks you can use in a variety of ways.” The Pistons don’t have their own second-round pick until 2027, but they have three from Toronto, Charlotte and the Los Angeles Lakers this season, plus Sacramento’s 2024 pick.
- Saben Lee will likely have his two-way deal converted into a standard contract this offseason, Rod Beard of the Detroit News speculates. Lee, a rookie second-round pick, had a 19-point outing as a starter on Monday
- Casey hasn’t hesitated to use Joseph, who is averaging 11.3 PPG and 3.7 APG in 24 MPG in his first three outings with the club. Joseph is set to earn $12.6MM in 2021/22, but the contract is only partially guaranteed ($2.4MM) until August 1, so the Pistons may opt to waive or trade him before next season.
“Energy and Communication”
I like that motto for Weaver. Like that Arkansas team, except add “muscle”. At some point the needle-watchers will want to see needle-moving talent.
Talk about adding… Cory Joseph AND two seconds, sweet. Pistons can manipulate his PT & mission to get the stats they want from him and that will make them look good, including the players, deciding whether to take him seriously. CoryJ is likely more Weaver’s type than DelonW anyway.
The x percent way
Step 1: draft 2nd rounders
Step 2: cook the books
Step 3: ????
Step 4: profit.
I had no idea he was an underpants gnome. That explains a lot!
I really don’t know what Presti was thinking when he traded Diallo for Svi. I guess the sight of that second round clouded his reason.
Diallo got a future, looks good. Some guys just develop later and with different coaching. Pistons in full rebuild mode. They have picked up some good young talent. They need a Big, Mobley should be their target in draft. I thought they had best draft last yr. And signing Grant was one of best signings in FA in awhile. I think you have to just let Casey finish his work. Some veteran leadership will also help coach get it done. Pistons just need to stick to the plan. Personally I love building a team from scratch.