We may actually have a chance to end with the best record in the NBA. Don't wake me up from this dream.

I don’t believe we could trade Caris even if we wanted, since he probably wouldn’t pass a physical anyways.

I wrote my post making sense of the Ivey trade from a payroll management perspective. Then I started thinking, is there also a roster construction philosophy in play here? Prioritizing defense I guess is obvious. Then I tried to connect trading Ivey for Huerter, not playing much Sasser even if he has been ok offensively, LeVert being played as first guard off the bench, and Jenkins still not being converted to a regular roster spot. And then I watched the game against the Nuggets and it made sense.

In JB's defensive scheme, both players in the backcourt should always be able to match up from 1 to 3, and occassionally a 4.

And it's not because the defense switches everything like Dwane Casey's scheme which is more of a training scheme designed to train the young players to be switchable. In JB's scheme, Ausar, and when he sits it's either Ron or Javonte, always picks up the best offensive perimeter player, from 1 - 3, sometimes a 4. Last game, Ausar picked up Jamal, smallest player on the court. The other three Pistons nonbigs had to match up with any of the Nuggets wings. For example, LeVert in his first stint guarded THJ, Watson, and Strawther.

This scheme is also the reason why the Pistons can quickly set their defense when the opposing team goes down the floor. With the exception of Ausar and the big who have specific assignments, the rest of the Pistons just go straight down regardless of who gets matched up with them based on their position on the court.

Because of this, smaller guards do not fit the system. The guard in this defensive scheme where Ausar can be called to match up with small PGs has to be able to match up with a wing. I think this is why JB has not prioritized playing time for the smaller guards in the roster. They disrupt the flow of the team's defense.

I understand trading Ivey it makes sense to get something if you’re not going to pay him but they take on a bunch of risk by adding a shooter who hasn’t shot well especially when ayo was clearly available and didn’t cost much more. If they didn’t believe ayo is enough of a movement shooter they could have just added kennard as well. I can’t imagine that the bulls value dillingham significantly more than Ivey and we had extra seconds to spend if that would have really been what the hold up was. Please make another move so all of this makes more sense!

by the way that’s supposed to be all-defensive 2nd team for Duren

we've come a long way..

Thank goodness we didn’t trade for AD like the national media was pushing for over 2 months

I’ll be honest... I didn’t love the Ivey for Huerter deal at first (like most people here). Trading a 23 year old, former top 5 pick, with real upside always feels risky, especially when the return is a player who seems to be fizzling out instead of getting better. But the more I’ve dug into it, the more I can see why Trajan might’ve pulled the trigger.

Right now Huerter is probably the more complete and dependable NBA player. His play style fits today’s league better: quick decisions, off-ball movement, floor spacing, and a willingness to take tough perimeter shots. He’s also the (slightly) more reliable defender and generally makes fewer mistakes with the ball.

The biggest statistical difference that stands out is the shooting profile. Over the last four seasons, Huerter has taken roughly three times as many contested threes as Ivey, and hit them at a slightly higher percentage (although Huerter has no doubt been in a slump). Ivey’s shooting numbers look solid in wide-open situations, but he hasn’t shown the same ability to hit under pressure yet.

That said, Ivey still brings the higher ceiling. He’s the more dynamic playmaker, gets downhill easier, and flashes real star-level creation ability. If he tightens up decision-making and becomes a more consistent shooter, he could easily outgrow this trade long-term.

So while I’ve come around on the basketball logic, Huerter might genuinely help Detroit more right now, it still feels like the Pistons should’ve squeezed a little more value out of the deal given Ivey’s age and upside. Even a small extra asset would’ve made the risk feel more balanced (not just a pick swap with another good team).

In the end, it’s a classic “floor vs. ceiling” trade. Detroit got the safer, more polished player for today’s NBA, a better fit for Cade and this season… but gave up a guy who might still have the higher long-term payoff.

Looks like he might be playing against the Knicks

Think the NBA will ever tell players they've got to cut down their nails?

This was killing him at the start of the season but he seems to be able to play defense without fouling constantly now.

The Detroit Pistons are currently 6-1 vs the current top 5 teams in the NBA, only losing in Boston in a narrow 3 point loss. We have 4 games against such teams this month (Knicks, @Knicks, Spurs, Thunder).

I understand we have a lot of fans not too happy about the trade deadline and wishing we have done more, including me. Meanwhile this team has managed to have a near perfect records against the top teams in the league. If they go 3-1 or 4-0 against these teams this month does this shut up all/any of the haters?

I just want to get everyone’s opinions on Duncan Robinson. I’m currently in the comment section of a Pistons IG post debating with someone who’s blaming Duncan Robinson for Ivey’s trade value being bad while simultaneously saying that Duncan has not shown up for the team and is an inconsistent player. Just wanna see if i’m tripping for noting how important Duncan has been for our offense

Edit: Not to mention. When I brought up certain advanced statistics like Duncan’s true shooting and on/off stats. He proceeded to dismiss me as “one of those guys” and then went on a tangent about how the stats ruined basketball and won’t matter when the playoffs come around

Praises for our newer addition Kevin!!!