Cade Cunningham got into early foul trouble the past two games and Pistons coach Dwane Casey says his prized rookie has to play smarter, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. “We need him in the game. We don’t need cheap fouls, reaching fouls and fouling just to be fouling,” Casey said. “He’ll learn. We need his offense. We need his playmaking. We don’t need him sitting over there next to the coaches.” Cunningham has picked up four or more fouls in 19 games.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Alex Caruso is not close to coming back from wrist surgery, Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago tweets. Bulls coach Billy Donovan said Caruso is able to do some on-court work but needs to strengthen the affected area. Caruso can barely pass the ball with his right hand at this time and he won’t be cleared for contact for a couple more weeks.
- Pacers assistant coach Jenny Boucek turned down a coaching job with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles confirms. Marc Stein was the first to report the news regarding Boucek, a close friend of Becky Hammon, who is leaving the Spurs to become the Aces’ head coach.
- The Pacers should look to trade Malcolm Brogdon this offseason after adding a young point guard in Tyrese Haliburton, Drew Maresca of Basketball News opines. He’ll turn 30 in December, so his timeline doesn’t align with Indiana’s rebuild. Brogdon signed a two-year, $45MM extension last offseason. The Knicks and Wizards are two teams that could have some interest in Brogdon, in Maresca’s view.
He’s only 29, how long does that guy expect Indy’s rebuild to last? Pacers should be ready to compete as soon as next season tbh. If they can get an especially good return for Brogdon I could see trading him but he’s a great fit with Haliburton in the backcourt & the team is much better with him on the court as we saw the past couple days (blew out Boston with him yesterday, got blown out by Orlando today without him). DC would be a good spot for Brogdon too but unless they’re willing to give up Rui &/or Deni I would keep him if I’m Indy
Brogdon would fit in nicely with Rose and Walker. Writers…
Cmon everyone knows Kemba wants out, Knicks wants a new starting PG and that DRose is a back up at this point.
Don’t try be smart acting like it couldn’t be an option
Pacers will be looking to trade Turner, Buddy and Brogdon. They’re doing a great job of showcasing Buddy now. Pick(s), expiring contracts, and young cost controlled players. Help yourself to two future Laker’s unprotected picks and take on Westbrick and buyout Brodie.
Neither Turner/Buddy/Brogdon will be around when Haliburton gets extended. That’s the timeline they should be working towards. They won’t get FAs to come to Indy, they’ll need to draft or trade for talent.
Start by drafting AJ Griffin.
Haliburton
Durate
Griffin
Smith
Jackson
I don’t think it makes sense to trade any of those guys, especially Myles. They have a team that can compete next season. No need to wait until Haliburton is expensive to try to win when you already have enough talent to contend. They have 2 very good lead guards, 1 of the best 3pt shooters in the world & the best rim protector in the game. That’s a pretty good foundation of talent. If they can resign Warren they will be really explosive offensively. And I love AJ Griffin but Pacers would be smart to look locally this off-season by drafting Indiana kids Jaden Ivey & Trayce Jackson-Davis with their 1st rd picks & signing former Hoosier Thomas Bryant in free agency. That’s a team that Carlisle could win multiple playoff series with & they’d be setup for long-term success too
I said right after he Haliburton trade that trading Malcom in the offseason makes a lot of sense. However Brogdan isnt a bad fit at all and keeping him isn’t a terrible idea.
Some ideas:
Wizards for KCP and Hachimura.
Pelicans for DeVonte Graham, Hayes and Murphy.
Piston, Jerami Grant?
As for the draft I think they end up with the 6th pick and take AJ Griffin. With the Cavs pick, I think it ends up 17th and lands them Nikola Jovic.
Then hopefully the Pacers line up
Haliburton Duarte Griffin Grant Turner and a bench of McConnell Heild Brissett Jovic Jackson. Plus you have Jalen Smith and cap space from Rubio (18mil) and Warren (13mil). With the cap space I’d throw out a deal to a young guy like Sekoyu Doumbouya and a vet like Ed Davis.