Could Ausar Thompson and Simone Fontecchio be part of the Pistons’ starting lineup? James Edwards III of The Athletic speculates that could be the case, noting that Thompson’s defense and Fontecchio’s shooting would mesh well with Cade Cunningham‘s skills and responsibilities. That would leave summer acquisitions Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. on a much improved second unit. Edwards takes an educated guess on how the team’s depth chart will shake under a new coaching staff.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Heat are unlikely to make a substantial move prior to the season, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Winderman doubts there will be an upcoming blockbuster deal in the league on the scale of the Damian Lillard trade, which occurred just ahead of training camps last September. Depending on how Jimmy Butler’s contract situation plays out, the Heat could do something big before the February trade deadline or just wait for Butler’s opt-out decision next offseason. Butler said early this summer he wouldn’t sign an offseason extension.
- The Nets‘ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, traded their 2025 first- and second-round draft picks to the Iowa Wolves, the Timberwolves‘ NBAGL squad, in exchange for the returning player rights to forward Tyrese Martin last week. That could be a prelude toward Martin receiving a training camp deal from Brooklyn, according to NetsDaily.com. The G League trade opens the door for Martin to sign an Exhibit 10 contract. Martin was the most productive player on the Summer League roster whose rights weren’t controlled by Brooklyn, the story notes.
- The Magic‘s NBA G League team made a trade, acquiring the returning player rights to big man Robert Baker II and a 2024 second round NBA G League draft pick from the Hawks’ G League club, the College Park Skyhawks, the Osceola Magic announced (via Twitter). The Skyhawks acquired Daeqwon Plowden‘s returning rights. Baker, 26, played five games in the Las Vegas Summer League for the Skyhawks, averaging 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds. Plowden signed a two-way deal with the Warriors this season. Atlanta won’t be able to use those returning rights unless he’s waived by Golden State. It’s possibly a sign that the Warriors don’t plan to retain Plowden.
Post in, Plowden out for the last 2w spot coming soon?
I think Beasley starts over Fontecchio. They are interchangeable, but he seems like a better fit with Thompson in the starting five. It will be challenging to find minutes for Ron Holland when the season opens.
How long will it take for Pistons to tank for Cooper.
Cooper in Bklyn is best scenario for NBA.
The NETS do deserve a break from all the shenanigans KD, Kyrie, Harden gave them ….. but heck no, SPURS should tank one last time.
That Flagg, Wemby pairing will be something.
I completely agree but I had to look and saw the Utah Jazz have never had a number 1 pick ever though. The Jazz are close to a perfect rebuild
Brooklyn does need this more than anyone
Silver will probably give Phoenix the new Denver, Raptors etc etc championship for the new NBA
The fact the heat did nothing is mind boggling.
They won’t be able to overachieve this year. Especially with celtics being supreme, knicks being top heavy now, sixers improvement, pacers, bucks back healthy.
They need to make a trade. Rozier needs to go