Detroit Pistons

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Welcome to the Pistons, new head coach Monty Williams, rookies Ausar Thompson (5th pick) and Marcus Sasser (25th pick)!


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Marcus Sasser, the 25th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of the University of Houston, recorded a summer league high 40 points for the Pistons as they defeated the Pacers, 100-85. Isaiah Wong tallied 24 points for the Pacers in the losing effort. The Pistons improve to 4-1 in the 2K24 Summer League, while the Pacers fall to 2-3

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Although the Pistons emerged victorious against the Spurs in their 4th summer league with a 3-1 record, they miss out on the final four due to at least 5 teams winning the tiebreakers for the 3rd and 4th seeds.


That being said, it was Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson who led in points while earning a double double: 18 points and 14 rebounds.

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LAS VEGAS -- Victor Wembanyama's summer league has officially come to an end, with the San Antonio Spurs deciding Monday to shut down the No. 1 pick in last month's NBA draft after a stellar second game here in Sin City.

Wembanyama, who bounced back from a dubious debut with a 27-point, 12-rebound performance in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, said after the game that he would sit down with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and decide whether he would continue playing.

"I know I got to talk with Pop," Wembanyama said Sunday when asked whether he was going to play more in Vegas. "I'm going to listen to what he's going to say, but I'm ready to make any sacrifice for the team and give 100%."

But although it wasn't official that Wembanyama would be done for the summer, his news conference all but shouted that this would be the eventual outcome. He talked about the fact he would be away from the media for at least the next month, and how he was excited to sit down with the Spurs and map out a plan for the next 2-3 months to put himself in the best possible position to be ready for the start of his rookie season this fall.

In his NBA 2K24 Summer League debut Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets, Wembanyama had a rough outing, shooting 2-for-13 from the field and admitting he felt lost at times on the court. But after a slow start against Portland, Wembanyama came on in a big way, dominating the game in the second quarter and nearly willing the Spurs all the way back to a victory.

Now, though, he'll shift his focus to his first full season in the NBA, which he'll enter with arguably bigger expectations than any rookie since LeBron James arrived in the league 20 years ago.

"Like, this past month, I think basketball wasn't even 50% of my schedule," Wembanyama said. "I can't stand it. I know it's a special moment in my life, but I'm just glad it's over, honestly. I just want to hoop, work out and lift."

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The Pistons defeat the Raptors, 94-90. Jared Rhoden led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Pistons.

Game summary

Game charts

Box score

Play By Play

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Led by Jabari Smith Jr.'s 38 points, seven rebounds and six assists, the Rockets defeat the Pistons, 113-101.

Game summary

Game charts

Box score

Play By Play

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The Pistons defeat the Magic, 89-78. Jalen Duren led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds for the Pistons, while James Wiseman (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Ausar Thompson (seven points, nine rebounds) added a combined 21 points in the victory. Kevon Harris tallied 21 points and six rebounds for the Magic, while Anthony Black added 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in the losing effort.

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Gonna repost the press release from Twitter here, because Elon Musk messed up the platform again.

https://twitter.com/Pistons_PR/status/1674875391373189120

The @DetroitPistons announced today the club's schedule and roster for the @NBASummerLeague to be held in Las Vegas from July 7-17 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Also, summer league jerseys were revealed via the Instagram account of Pistons equipment manager John “Kong” Coumoundouros @kongcoumoundouros

Check ’em out!

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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by pobautista@lemmy.world to c/detroitpistons@lemmy.world
 
 

With the free agency period officially starting today and as we anticipate a lot of player movement, this megathread will serve to gather as much offseason news as possible.

Hoping for an exciting and fruitful offseason, fellow Pistons fans!

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1. Isaiah Livers

https://twitter.com/jledwardsiii/status/1673715159645167616

Sources: The Pistons have picked up the $1.8 million club option on Isaiah Livers.

No surprise.

The forward and 2021 second-round pick has impressed decision-makers with defense and shooting.

2. Eugene Omoruyi

https://twitter.com/jledwardsiii/status/1674154048558190594

Hearing that the Pistons picked up the $1.9 million option on Eugene Omoruyi.

Omoruyi earned two 10-day contracts before signing for the rest of the season to end last campaign.

Detroit is a fan of how hard he plays.

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Burks averaged 12.8 points and 3.1 rebounds last season.

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TLDR:

  1. Cam Johnson (Nets plan to offer Johnson a 4-year, $84 million deal. Detroit plans to make a run at Johnson, league sources tell The Athletic, for possibly a 4-year $100 million contract)

  2. Harrison Barnes (Barnes’ agent Jeff Schwartz also represents Cunningham, Marvin Bagley III and James Wiseman)

  3. Austin Reaves

  4. Ish Smith

  5. Yuta Watanabe

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For non-subscribers of The Athletic:

Pistons 2023 NBA Draft guide: Final big board, No. 5 pick prediction, possible trades

James L. Edwards III

“And with the fifth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select …”

As it pertains to the Pistons, Thursday’s NBA Draft is probably the least predictable since general manager Troy Weaver took over in 2020. Not only is that due to Detroit, the league’s worst team this past season, dropping to pick No. 5 in a three-man class, but the consensus is that there are close to six prospects who could realistically be selected when the Pistons are on the clock.

In 2020, even though Detroit held the No. 7 pick, it was evident that the club would target a point guard. In 2021, with the Pistons holding the No. 1 pick, it was between Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Jalen Green. Last year, Jaden Ivey fell into Detroit’s lap at No. 5.

This time around, it’s very much a “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” class when you get past pick No. 3. The Pistons could walk away with Amen or Ausar Thompson, Jarace Walker, Cam Whitmore, Taylor Hendricks or Anthony Black and no one would be too surprised. The range of possibilities is what should make Thursday night, particularly for Detroit, very interesting.

Over the last few months, weeks and days rumors have surfaced and chatter has intensified about whom Detroit will select. This draft guide will be your one-stop shop on all things relevant to the Pistons.

Who has had in-person workouts for the Pistons?

  • Amen Thompson, G, Overtime Elite
  • Ausar Thompson, W, Overtime Elite
  • Cam Whitmore, W, Villanova
  • Jarace Walker, F, Houston
  • Taylor Hendricks, W/F, Central Florida
  • Anthony Black, G/W, Arkansas

These are not the only players the Pistons have had for drills during the pre-draft process, but league sources tell The Athletic that these six names have worked out for Detroit and are being the most considered with the No. 5 pick, assuming Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller doesn’t surprisingly fall to the Pistons’ slot.

Per league sources, Hendricks was impressive in his workout and interview, the Thompson Twins were good, too, but Whitmore left Pistons brass wanting a little bit more. Draft workouts are just a piece of the pie, not the whole thing, so it’s unsure how much stock Weaver and Co. will put into these glorified tryouts, on either end of the spectrum.

Over the last few days, I’ve gotten the sense that both Amen and Ausar Thompson will both be seriously considered if on the board at No. 5, with the latter maybe even being the leader of the two depending on who you ask in Detroit’s front office. Part of me believes Whitmore is still very much in consideration. Also, Walker and Hendricks are in the running.

My top 5 Pistons big board

(Victor Wembanyama, Henderson and Miller are off the table)

1. Ausar Thompson: For clarification, this is how I’m predicting Detroit’s big board to look — assuming Wembanyama, Henderson and Miller are all gone by the fourth selection — based on conversations, fit and draft history. Per league sources, despite Amen Thompson being mocked higher in the majority of mock drafts that have come out leading up to Thursday, there are teams in the NBA who rate Ausar Thompson higher. I think the Pistons could be one of them. Ausar is electric in transition and defends at a high level. Like his brother, Ausar processes the game well and has a secondary or tertiary playmaking upside. Defensively, given his length, athleticism and competitive level, is where the biggest upside lies with Thompson. The jump shot has a ways to go and projecting Overtime Elite prospects, particularly ones on the older side like Amen and Ausar, isn’t easy. However, Thompson has a lot of qualities coveted by Weaver and the idea of what Thompson might look like if everything clicks could be too much to pass up for a franchise trying to “restore” through the draft.

“You weigh all of that,” Weaver said on Tuesday when asked about evaluating boom-or-bust potential versus a more stable prospect. “But, for me, I like the long ball. I’m not bunting or trying to slap it into short center. I’m going to take a big swing, especially if I only have one chance at it.”

The Thompsons and Whitmore most fit that bill.

2. Amen Thompson: Thompson is the point guard of the brothers, and while I don’t love his fit in Detroit, the upside might be too much to ignore. He, too, is a super athlete with great measurables and a tremendous feel for the game. Amen put a lot of pressure on the rim at Overtime Elite. His shot, though, is even more concerning than Ausar’s and the Overtime Elite program is still very tricky to scout. I also think Ausar is ahead defensively, at least in terms of consistency. However, Amen’s ballhandling, size, athleticism and processing as a lead guard are very, very enticing to many teams.

3. Cam Whitmore: Whitmore is an explosive athlete who has an upside as a shot creator. Defensively, with him being 6 foot 6 and having a sturdy frame, he proved to be solid on that end in college and even has room to grow. But it’s just tough to get past the comically-low assist numbers and lack of playmaking that he did for others at Villanova. He is only 18, so maybe he improves as a processor of the game, but I’m sure NBA teams have an idea by now if his downfalls in that regard were due to Whitmore’s situation in college or if it’s just how he operates on the court. Whitmore has a chance to be an elite bucket-getter at the NBA level, and that’s not easy to pass on.

4. Jarace Walker: To me, Walker is the safest pick Detroit could make at No. 5. I’ve got no doubts that he’ll be an NBA player for at least a decade. He does a lot of things well — most notably on defense as a switchable defender, rebounder and passer — that translates to winning. Now, I’m not as high on his upside as others appear to be, but I’d be surprised if he’s not a rotation player on a good team at some point in his career. Walker’s ceiling rises if the outside shooting becomes legit and he’s able to show and do more as an off-the-dribble creator.

5. Taylor Hendricks: Hendricks has been the hardest one to get a read on in recent weeks because I’ve gotten the sense that teams are intrigued by the 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan who can shoot and defend both on the ball and as a weakside rim protector, but he hasn’t been talked about as going in the top 5. As mentioned before, Hendricks had a great workout in Detroit and, on paper, is probably the cleanest fit of all these guys. He’s a more natural power forward in the NBA, but if his ballhandling and processing take a step forward, I could see him being a full-time wing. My gut tells me that if there is a “surprise” pick in the top 5, it’ll be Hendricks.

What’s the likelihood of Pistons trading No. 5?

This particular draft, more so than any of the previous ones under Weaver, feels like the one Detroit could trade the pick. Weaver said he was open to the idea of trading the selection in April, and I still believe that is in the cards.

It does appear that Pistons like several guys who could realistically be available between pick Nos. 5-10. If that’s the case, and there isn’t a clear-cut favorite amongst Detroit’s decision-making team, moving back a few spots and collecting a future draft pick or two would be beneficial to the Pistons. Detroit is blocked from deals with its firsts by the Stepien Rule and the future pick owed to New York from the Isaiah Stewart draft day trade. Getting a first-round pick from another team would open up more flexibility for the Pistons.

I wouldn’t put money on Detroit trading the pick, but it feels more likely this year than any of the last three.

My three favorite draft-day trade ideas for Detroit

Indiana

The Pistons send No. 5 and No. 31 to Indiana for No. 7, No. 26 and a 2025 first-round pick. In this scenario, I have Detroit selecting Whitmore with the seventh pick.

Utah

The Pistons send No. 5 and Marvin Bagley III to the Jazz for No. 9 and a 2025 first-round pick. In this scenario, the Pistons select whoever is left of the Thompson twins, Whitmore, Walker Hendricks or Black.

Oklahoma City

The Pistons send No. 5 and Bagley to the Thunder for No. 12, a 2025 first-round pick and a 2026 first-round pick.

Names to watch for with the 31st pick

Detroit also holds the first pick in the second round. Here are some names to keep an eye on if the Pistons keep No. 31:

  • Marcus Sasser, G, Houston
  • Andre Jackson, W, Connecticut
  • Julian Phillips, W, Tennessee
  • Max Lewis, W, Pepperdine
  • Dariq Whitehead, W, Duke

Who do Pistons select at No. 5 and 31?

With the fifth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select … Ausar Thompson.

With the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select … Marcus Sasser.

Let’s go back to the fifth pick, the one everyone cares about. If Detroit stays at No. 5, my hunch is that the selection is one of the Thompson twins, Whitmore or Walker. That’s where it is trending in recent days.

Weaver doesn’t mind selecting a player higher than the consensus. If he likes a player, he likes a player. Moving back doesn’t help him control the outcome any better. The biggest mystery as we head into Thursday is if the Pistons see six guys clustered together with no separation really among them. If so, trading back feels more likely. However, if Detroit thinks there are tiers within those six, then it’s far more likely it stays put at No. 5 and Weaver takes whoever it is that he likes.

Buckle up.

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For non-subscribers of The Athletic:

Pistons rumors: What I’m hearing about Detroit’s NBA Draft plans

James L. Edwards III

The 2023 NBA Draft is less than a week away, and the annual event this time around will serve as an unfortunate reminder for the league’s worst team that it won’t be leaving Brooklyn on Thursday with arguably the best prospect since LeBron James. The Pistons, instead, sit at No. 5, the worst possible outcome for the organization.

However, that slot, and the one before it, comes with more intrigue than the rest. Victor Wembanyama will go No. 1 overall to the Spurs — I already bet my life savings on it just to make an extra $100. After that, Alabama’s Brandon Miller and the G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson will very likely go Nos. 2 and 3, but which one goes where is still up in the air.

So, the draft really begins with the Houston Rockets at No. 4, and then the Pistons will step to the plate next.

While Detroit must react to the Rockets’ decision at No. 4, I’m hearing the Pistons will be strongly considering five prospects with their selection if they stay put at No. 5: Amen and Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite), Cam Whitmore (Villanova), Jarace Walker (Houston) and Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida).

All five of those prospects have worked out with Detroit over the last two weeks, according to multiple league sources who agreed to provide background while not being authorized to speak publicly. Hendricks, in particular, impressed in front of Pistons executives and coaches, most notably with his shooting. The 6-foot-9 forward, has the potential to be an impactful 3-and-D wing for the Pistons immediately upon arriving in the Motor City, assuming he ends up being the pick. There’s room to grow into something more, too, if he can improve his ballhandling and decision-making. The 19-year-old forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan can defend multiple positions, as well, due to his ability to slide his feet.

Ausar Thompson also has some big supporters in the Pistons’ front office, according to those league sources, and very well could be who Detroit takes in Thursday’s draft. The 20-year-old Ausar is more of a wing than his brother, but both are supreme athletes with good size. In his 2023 NBA Draft Guide, colleague Sam Vecenie wrote that Ausar Thompson reminds him most of Andre Iguodala. I couldn’t agree more. The potential Ausar Thompson has a secondary or tertiary creator for others really drives that home, as do his physical gifts, finishing ability and questionable jump shooting.

It’s not a given, though, that the Pistons will select at No. 5. “If it’s going to help us move forward, we’ll entertain anything,” general manager Troy Weaver said back in April. “We’re excited about this draft pool, but we’ll try to move the team forward any way we can.”

Outside of No. 1, all of the picks in the top 5 could be up for grabs. I think it’s more likely that the Pistons trade back than use No. 5 to acquire a veteran player via trade, but it does sound like all options are still on the table ahead of Thursday’s draft.

MassLive.com reported on Thursday that the Boston Celtics have been and will continue to be active in trade talks throughout the offseason. One of the names the Celtics called to inquire about was Isaiah Stewart, according to those league sources. Other teams, too, have called the Pistons about the soon-to-be fourth-year big man. When Detroit got Stewart in the 2020 NBA Draft, rivals teams called to try and get the Pistons to trade him. He is valued around the league due to his defensive versatility and potential as a frontcourt floor spacer.

To the best of my knowledge, the Pistons very much view Stewart as a key part of their core going forward — even with a bit of a big-man logjam — and not only would I be stunned if he were traded, I’d be a bit surprised if he didn’t sign an extension this summer.

Aside from everyone in the organization, from executives to players, recognizing “Beef Stew” as the heart and soul of the young Detroit squad, his value as a switchable defender and the seeds he’s planted as an outside shooter are important to the Pistons moving forward. Additionally, Stewart, who just turned 22, was part of Weaver’s inaugural draft class, and with fellow classmate Saddiq Bey traded to the Hawks this past season and Killian Hayes still finding his footing in the NBA, having something to show for that incoming draft class, surely, would be important for both Weaver and the organization.

If Stewart were to sign a rookie extension, he’d be the first player drafted by the Pistons to sign one with the organization since Andre Drummond, who was selected ninth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft.

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Not sure about Grady Dick, but Jarace seems like a fit.

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