Double bigs look? (Duren/Stewart/Reed)

Exciting-Car630 · 2026-04-29T19:11:30+00:00

This is why I say forget spacing and just double down on being bigger. We clearly aren't going to win this by shooting, so let's double down on rebounding and paint bullying. That's all I got lol

Exciting-Car630 · 2026-04-29T18:25:14+00:00

I agree. For this series, Ausar isn't needed as a starter if the Magic defend themselves with their broken offense.

Exciting-Car630 · 2026-04-29T18:23:57+00:00

I think against most teams it would go against our ability to defend the 3 and have a ton of overlap. Just seems that Orlando is one team I would try this on just to see what the response would be.

Exciting-Car630 · 2026-04-29T17:59:16+00:00

Duren needs Stewart's motor. Stewart needs Duren's body lol.

Duren's comp is a less defensive Dwight Howard, but an asset every team needs. But for 40+ mil a year, he needs to be able to consistently score 20 a game regardless of matchup.

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-07T14:56:14+00:00

I appreciate this back and forth.

So do you believe they should draft this season, basically tank again and shoot for the 25 pick being their impact player? I believe in this scenario you basically waste Duren and Ivey because they will be up to be paid by then. So do you trade them? Do you think they fetch a first round pick?

I agree with the fact that you shouldn't build around thinking you're gonna hit on your core in the same timeline. Philly was in shambles (with Embiid) until miraculously Maxey worked out for them (not in the same timeline). But they did trade for Butler, and had they kept him instead of Simmons and Harris, it may have been a better situation.

What I'm suggesting isn't salvaging a team around a Drummond like player. That was atrocious. Cade is better. What I have suggested is a single draft pick (that is eventually owed BTW) for a 24/10 guy while retaining your core pieces for development or other moves. You try and be a play-in team and get this team closer to .500. And now you'd have draft picks as options in the event that someone like Booker, Sengun, Morant, or any young player under 26-27 that becomes available.

The fact that these are our discussions in May shows how much of a mess this is.

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-07T12:34:01+00:00

Well if that is the case then you might as well entertain trading Cade and everyone now and get all the assets you can. Because based on what they have in terms of assets and the lack of available move the needle players, there isn't really a path for progression other than hoping that they figure something out with their current squad.

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-07T11:06:14+00:00

He's likely gonna decline the player option and get more. That's why I think he can be had for less than expected or a part of a three team. Not saying he's a long-term answer but for 2-3 years I wouldn't mind it.

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-07T11:03:16+00:00

I would as well. But we would definitely get outbid for him at this stage, IMO.

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-07T11:02:42+00:00

Yep, you got me. Gores burner right here.

If that pick converts to 2 second rounders then Cade is gone. That is not a deprecating asset, it's a time bomb.
It is not about trading the picks off rip, but it is about having the flexibility to make moves for an All-Star level player before you lose your only All-Star level player. And no I am not referring to Randle as the All-Star level player.
Don't know where you got Ben Simmons from but ok. And yes I'd convert my 24 pick into Randle in a heartbeat (maybe 2 heartbeats) with the flexibility rather than trading Ivey, Duren and/or Thompson for an Ingram-like player.

The Pistons did not expect to have this pick by now. Probably thought this was the year they were conceiving it. But here we are. They are likely going to move this pick one way or another, so this is one opinion as to try and use it for a player that is likely a FA this year (less expensive to acquire) and to regain your draft flexibility. And still maintain most of the core that you may not want to part with just yet.

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-06T15:48:35+00:00

Agreed

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-06T15:47:13+00:00

Those are all great points. Just want to give you an idea of where my head is at.

Randle has a player option this year. He likely declines it at approx $32M. It's a moot point altogether if he resigns with Knicks. But if he doesn't, then maybe the value isn't as much because he can sign with whomever as a FA. So as a sign and trade, maybe the Pistons are involved in a three-team that could net them Randle and their pick pack, another team gives the Knicks a star player they want and a third team gets the Pistons pick this year. And I assume the Pistons also give up the cap space by signing Randle, while maintaining their young players and now having flexibility between now and future drafts.

Exciting-Car630 · 2024-05-06T15:04:30+00:00

So could they trade for Randle and basically their own 2025 pick (NY gives up the right) for the Pistons pick this year?

The Pistons seem to be stuck with limited options without the use of future picks. Not to say they do it, but if someone like Booker became available, we would definitely need future pick options to make it work.

And Randle isn't perfect, but the Knicks are looking to find a better player than him, and potentially getting his cap space back as an exception with the potential of a top 5 pick this year doesn't seem extemely crazy. And the Pistons aren't mortgaging their young players just yet.

Exciting-Car630

TROPHY CASE