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Pistons

For a third of the NBA, summer break comes early.&nbsp;
Though 10 teams didn't make the playoffs, it's not all doom and gloom. Several NBA bottom-feeders took tangible steps forward in their rebuilding efforts, while others &mdash; well, they're not supposed to be here.
Every franchise enters the offseason with summer plans. As teams get eliminated from the postseason, I'll be rounding up every team's offseason outlook and posing one question they must answer over the summer. You'll see each squad's 2022 NBA Draft chest, plus their potential free agents, along with the central question.&nbsp;
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Let's get started!
DETROIT PISTONS 
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick (via Brooklyn)
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Marvin Bagley III (restricted), Cory Joseph (player option), Hamidou Diallo (team option), Frank Jackson (team option), Luka Garza (team option), Carsen Edwards (team option), Rodney McGruder 
Central question: How do the Pistons build an offense around Cade Cunningham?
This was a pretty solid season for Detroit as far as rebuilding efforts go. Cade Cunningham emerged as a Rookie of the Year front-runner and two-way centerpiece who has fans ecstatic about his ceiling. The Pistons finished a solid 10-14 after the All-Star break, and have shown flashes of an improving defense. They did still finish with the 28th-ranked offense, per Cleaning the Glass, and one of the worst shooting rates in the NBA.
Cunningham had to carry a ridiculous offensive load in the latter stages of the season. Detroit has the power to change that in 2022-23, starting with its high draft pick. Maybe Jabari Smith's lights-out scoring means he's an ideal secondary option? Perhaps Paolo Banchero thrives as an additional creator, or maybe Chet Holmgren makes sense as a finisher and spot-up threat? The fun part about Cunningham is that his versatility creates so many pathways for the Pistons in the draft &mdash; whether or not the ping pong balls fall their way.
Detroit wields a cap hold of approximately $28 million on Bagley, and once that lifts (either via a new contract or letting him walk), the Pistons should have a solid chunk of cap space to add to the supporting cast.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), better of Brooklyn/Miami first-round picks
Potential free agents: John Wall (player option), Dennis Schroder, Bruno Fernando (restricted), Jae'Sean Tate (team option), Anthony Lamb (qualifying offer), Trevelin Queen (qualifying offer)
Central question: How patient is the front office willing to be?
Houston's 2021 draft strategy of "draft talent, figure out the fit later" appears to be working out. Jalen Green demonstrated an Anthony Edwards-esque leap post-All-Star break, Alperen Sengun is already one of the NBA's best passing bigs, and guys like Josh Christopher and KJ Martin routinely hinted at upside. Houston gets another prime shot at a franchise cornerstone this draft cycle. We're approaching Stage 2 of the strategy, though: figuring out how the pieces fit.&nbsp;
The Rockets were one of two NBA teams with bottom-five ratings on offense and defense. They led the league in rim frequency and were fourth in three-point frequency, but posted mediocre shooting clips. Houston evokes memories of the rebuilding Nets, who played a similarly extreme brand of ball for a few years as the team slowly reshaped into a fun playoff squad. Does the front office have the foresight to let head coach Stephen Silas work things out with his roster of young guns?&nbsp;
INDIANA PACERS
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How is there a &ldquo;rebuild&rdquo; to afraid of if it isn&rsquo;t a rebuild? <a href="https://t.co/0pDD7E6Mss">pic.twitter.com/0pDD7E6Mss</a>
&mdash; Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) <a href="https://twitter.com/C2_Cooper/status/1512127632758001664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Draft assets: First-round pick (10.5% chance at No. 1), First-round pick (if 15-30, via Cleveland), Second-round pick (via Houston), Second-round pick (via Phoenix)
Potential free agents: Ricky Rubio, T.J. Warren, Jalen Smith, Lance Stephenson, Nate Hinton (restricted), Oshae Brissett (team option)
Central question: How extreme is the incoming rebuild, and what veterans mesh with the future vision?
Notably unlisted among the potential free agents are Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and T.J. McConnell. All range from solid starters to rotational complements, and 3 of the 4 (not Turner) will be 30 next season. The Pacers are clearly retooling, as evidenced by their trade-deadline fireworks and Tyrese Haliburton's subsequent high usage. They also have publicly flip-flopped regarding the direction of the team; see the above Tweet.
Indiana doesn't have the pure depth of talent to straddle the line. The Pacers can trade many of these talented players and build up a chest of draft picks and young pieces, or they can charge ahead, turn their picks into win-now players and hope Haliburton is ready for the playoff push. But a middle ground doesn't exist in an Eastern Conference where just about every team has solidified its direction.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Draft assets: None
Potential free agents: Russell Westbrook (player option), Kendrick Nunn (player option), Austin Reaves (team option), Stanley Johnson (team option), Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, D.J. Augustin, Wenyen Gabriel, Mason Jones (restricted)
Central question: What does team-building around two injury-prone superstars look like?
LeBron James <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/lebron-james-i-dont-have-a-cap-on-how-long-i-want-to-play" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turns 38 next season</a>, and has played 60-plus games just once in the past four seasons. Anthony Davis has now missed more than half the season in back-to-back years. Sure, the Lakers were a mess regardless of their stars' health, but going forward, is pursuing fits next to James and Davis even worthwhile if the two won't consistently be on the court?
With just three players under contract (the aforementioned stars, plus Talen Horton-Tucker), the Lakers enter another offseason of a roster overhaul. This time, I'd recommend almost entirely forgetting about James and Davis when building the squad and simply try to assemble units that make sense together.&nbsp;
NEW YORK KNICKS
Draft assets: First-round pick (2.5% chance at No. 1, could change based on Play-In results), Second-round pick via Boston and Charlotte (if 56-60)
Potential free agents: Mitchell Robinson, Ryan Arcidiacono 
Central question: What's going to happen with the veterans?
The top six moneymakers for the Knicks next season are all 27 or older, and I think many fans would say that out of the group, only Julius Randle should have started &mdash; and he seriously regressed this season. The young Knicks <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/explain-one-play-young-knicks-playing-chess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clearly showed they're ready to take the mantle</a>.
So what happens with Randle, Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Kemba Walker? Is Tom Thibodeau prepared to reduce their (their meaning Burks specifically in this case) minutes and usage, will trades be coming, or will Madison Square Garden burn when Immanuel Quickley opens the season by playing 16 minutes off the bench? New York has drafted extremely well in recent seasons, but the ceiling of the young core is capped if these youngsters don't get a chance to prove themselves in meaningful situations.
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OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 
Draft assets: First-round pick (12.5% chance at No. 1), First-round pick via Clippers, First-round pick via Phoenix, Second-round pick
Potential free agents: Derrick Favors (player option), Mike Muscala (team option), Lu Dort (team option), Isaiah Roby (team option), Melvin Frazier (restricted)
Central question: What is the pathway in the frontcourt?
I've stanned Sam Presti's team-building strategy for years now, and I still think it's on track for a serious payoff. Josh Giddey slots in somewhere on your All-Rookie ballot, and draft classmates Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Aaron Wiggins flashed rotation-caliber play as well. It is simply a joy to watch a random young player have a breakout game on any given night, and OKC has already shown the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-emerging-defensive-identity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">early stages of a prominent defense</a>.
Next up: Capitalize on a draft loaded with intruiging frontcourt players. Banchero, Holmgren and Smith are obviously the best of the best. But even if the Thunder slide in the lottery, they could pounce on an athletic shot-blocker like Jalen Duren, or use one of their later picks on a center like Mark Williams. I'm just spit-balling, but the point is that OKC has plenty of chances to find its big-man anchor and further flesh out its core.
ORLANDO MAGIC
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Indiana
Potential free agents: Gary Harris, Robin Lopez, Bol Bol (restricted), Ignas Brazdeikis (restricted), Admiral Schofield (restricted)
Central question: How do the offensive pieces fit together?
Orlando quietly logged a 17th-ranked defense this season, and an 11th-ranked unit since Feb. 1. A dismal offense ultimately doomed the Magic, who were riddled with inconsistent shotmaking and poor team efficiency marks throughout the half-court. We don't need to sound any player alarms; it takes time for young guards in particular to grasp the responsibilities of running NBA offenses.&nbsp;
But what if I told you Orlando has wielded bottom-10 offensive ratings every season for the last decade?&nbsp;
Change can start in the draft, again with some of the top offensive forward options like Banchero or Smith. Adding another ball-dominant guard in Jaden Ivey might be overkill, but AJ Griffin and Bennedict Mathurin feel like good wing fits at first glance. Spotrac estimates the Magic could have up to $30 million in practical cap space, leaving plenty of room for veteran players to accentuate the young talent.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
THE D IN DREW STANDS FOR DUNK DO NOT GOOGLE THIS <a href="https://t.co/2AojdAskYV">pic.twitter.com/2AojdAskYV</a>
&mdash; Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1508636734900166659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Draft assets: First-round pick (9.0% chance at No. 1), First-round pick via New Orleans (if 5-14), Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Memphis
Potential free agents: Joe Ingles, Jusuf Nurkic, Ben McLemore, Anfernee Simons (restricted), CJ Elleby (restricted), Elijah Hughes (restricted), Keljin Blevins (restricted)
Central question: Is Portland actually trying to win "now" or win soon?
Some really great development happened for the Blazers during the "wash" portion of the season in the form of players like Trendon Watford, Keon Johnson and Drew Eubanks. Add them to Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little and the incomng draft picks, and Portland suddenly has... kind of a sneaky-deep prospect pool? There's real potential to mold this group into a rotation cast that gives Portland one of its deepest rosters in years.
That's why these <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jerami-grant-trade-rumors-portland-is-still-the-frontrunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerami Grant trade rumors concern me</a>. Giving up a possible lottery pick to try and piece together a short-term playoff team risks too much and keeps the Trail Blazers in the limbo they have lounged in for several years. Understandably, the franchise wants to build a contender while Damian Lillard is invested and in his prime. With some patience, Portland can without sacrificing sustainibility.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
Draft assets: First-round pick (7.5% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick, Second-round pick (via Chicago)
Potential free agents: Jeremy Lamb, Josh Jackson, Damian Jones, Donte DiVincenzo (restricted), Neemias Queta (restricted), Trey Lyles (team option)
Central question: How does Sacramento turn into a competitive NBA defense?
The Kings have trotted out lackluster defenses for as long as I can remember. In fact, they haven't ranked above 20th in Defensive Rating since 2005-06 &mdash; notably, the last time they made the playoffs.
And that didn't change under interim head coach Alvin Gentry. (Gentry will not return as head coach next season, but is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/shams-alvin-gentry-no-longer-interim-coach-of-the-kings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in talks for a front-office role</a>, per ESPN.) However, the on-paper roster actually shines some hope. Davion Mitchell made highlight reels out of his "Off-Night" defense. Justin Holiday is a solid individual defender, as is Harrison Barnes, and even De'Aaron Fox has his sporadic moments.&nbsp;
Can Sacramento find a head coach who turns a group of intriguing players with defensive potential into even an average squad? What draft and free agency options exist? Of course, the Kings would like to end their NBA-leading playoff drought. That'll come with changing the culture on defense.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Draft assets: First-round pick (2.5% chance at No. 1, depends on Play-In results), Second-round pick (via Dallas)
Potential free agents: Bradley Beal (player option), Thomas Bryant, Raul Neto, Tomas Satoransky, Anthony Gill (restricted), Cassius Winston (restricted)
Central question: What style of guard play is a feasible best fit?
Okay, so obviously the biggest question mark surrounds Bradley Beal's free agency. But from a conceptual standpoint, Washington has tried and failed over the past few seasons to find Beal's best-fitting partner in crime. John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Spencer Dinwiddie were each supposed to provide the downhill juice Beal lacks. The Wizards either did this at serious expense of another skill area (Wall, Westbrook), or it just didn't translate their at-rim ability (Dinwiddie). All battled injuries as well.
"I think we need bigger guards," <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/bradley-beal-outlines-what-wizards-need-build-contender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beal said in March</a>. "We need more guys that can get in the paint for us, more ball-handlers, more guys that can really create and get two feet in the paint, but also who can knock down threes."
I mean, Beal's needs make total sense. The problem is that every other basketball team on Earth also wants this type of guard.
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Ethan Fuller sets the offseason stage for each team that missed the NBA playoffs.

Summer plans for the NBA's 10 non-playoff teams

DETROIT (AP) — Luka Doncic has helped the Dallas Mavericks win 50 games, a relatively rare feat lately for the franchise.
The All-Star guard had 26 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds to lead Dallas in a 131-113 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
The Mavericks reached the 50-win mark for the first time in seven years, and just the second since winning their only NBA title.
“It’s a great accomplishment," coach Jason Kidd said. “The guys in that locker room can’t take that lightly because it’s not easy to do."
Dallas is 20 games above .500 for the first time since 2011, when they went on to win the NBA title. The franchise is set up to earn home-court advantage in the playoffs, for the first time since Kidd was their point guard during the championship season, after starting 2022 with a losing record.
“I think it’s pretty impressive," Doncic said. “We started the season kind of slow. I’m proud of how we played and hopefully we get to 52 (wins)."
Jalen Brunson had 24 points for the Mavericks, who have won five of their last six to build momentum going into the playoffs next week.
Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Cunningham had 25 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Pistons, who had won three straight to match what was their longest winning streak of the season.
Even with the game out of reach in the final minutes, coach Dwane Casey had his starters on the floor.
“That’s going to be a top team in the West," Casey said. “I wanted them to feel it and experience it."
Dallas led by as much as eight in the first, but trailed 34-32 after Doncic and Cunningham each had their fourth assist over the last 3.4 seconds of the quarter.
The Mavs moved back ahead in the second quarter and led 65-58 at halftime with Doncic scoring 16 points, making six assists. 
Doncic was called for his fourth foul at the 8:05 mark of the third. Kidd left him in the game and it turned out to be a wise move as Doncic was dominant, making a 3-pointer and assist that put the Mavs ahead 93-77 late in the quarter.
Dallas didn't have any trouble keeping its comfortable cushion in the fourth, finishing with 15 3-pointers on 33 shots beyond the arc.
“They do a great job of spreading out and making 3-point shots," Casey said. “You make one mistake and they make you pay. They’re a great offensive team, exactly what we want to be in terms of moving the basketball and knocking down 3s," 
CROSSOVER
Kidd is among the many marveling that Tiger Woods is teeing off at the Masters on Thursday morning, 14 months after a car crash left him in a hospital bed for three months.
“What Tiger is doing has already broken the internet,” Kidd said. “If he’s in the running for winning it, he definitely will shut down the internet. What he’s done to just come back, is incredible. I think everyone will be watching.”
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Reserve Sterling Brown missed the game for personal reasons. ... Forward Maxi Kleber (right ankle) missed a second straight game. ... The Mavs have won five straight against Detroit, winning each game by double digits.
Pistons: The banged-up, rebuilding team was without several injured players Marvin Bagley (hip), Hamidou Diallo (finger), Jerami Grant (calf), Cory Joseph (back), Rodney McGruder (hip) and rested Kelly Olynyk. “I think we have a couple of coaches, and we are ready to go," Casey joked. ... Faces in the crowd included Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, sitting with former players Mateen Cleaves and Mat Ishbia, who has courtside seats.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Close the regular season at home against Portland on Friday night and San Antonio on Sunday.
Pistons: End the regular season against Milwaukee on Friday night at home and at Philadelphia on Sunday.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Luka Doncic leads the Dallas Mavericks over the Detroit Pistons for Dallas' 50th win on the season.

Luka Doncic-led Mavericks beat Pistons 131-113 for 50th win

Earlier this week, the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets agreed on a trade that would send Bol Bol to Detroit in exchange for Rodney McGruder and a second-round pick. However, on Thursday, the Pistons <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/bol-bol-trade-to-pistons-voided-due-to-failed-physical" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> voided the deal because Bol failed his physical with the Pistons' doctors.
If this sounds familiar, it's because Detroit also voided a three-team trade with the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers back in 2016. In that deal, the Pistons were supposed to land Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton, but they rescinded the trade four days later after Motiejunas failed his physical.
After learning that the Pistons voided the Bol Bol deal, Motiejunas spoke out about the situation.
"I was failed on physicals and told by Detroit doctors I will not play basketball again. Six years later, I am still here and have many years to go," Motiejunas <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/with_replies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>. "They [are] destroying young players' names and futures in [the] NBA by doing this..."
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Motiejunas has spent the last few years playing overseas, and he pointed out that his value took a hit after the Pistons' doctors determined that he failed his physical.
"No one looked at me the same after that situation," he <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/with_replies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>. "How many times [will] the NBPA let this happen? They are destroying young players' careers... When stuff like that happens, you [can't] stay quiet."
When some Pistons fans pushed back on Motiejunas' claims, he mentioned that he "hasn't missed a game since the injury." Also, he returned to the Rockets' lineup several days after the Pistons voided the deal, so if Detroit's doctors said he would never play basketball again, their assessment was clearly way off.
It remains to be seen if the NBA or NBPA will look into this situation.

After the Pistons voided the Bol Bol trade, Donatas Motiejunas spoke out about how Detroit did the same thing to him back in 2016.

Donatas Motiejunas calls out Pistons for voiding trades after physicals

355.
That&rsquo;s the amount of combined regular season and playoff minutes the recently-turned 22-year-old Bol Bol has received since he was selected by the Miami Heat and rerouted to the Denver Nuggets with the 44th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The 7-foot-2, 220-pound talent and enigmatic son of Manute &mdash; <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/blk_career.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the NBA&rsquo;s great shot-blockers</a> &mdash; Bol has spent most of the last three seasons chillin&rsquo; on the Nuggets bench. And just a few days ago, he was centered in one of our first potentially meaningful NBA trades of the 2021-22 season, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nuggets-trading-bol-bol-to-pistons-for-rodney-mcgruder-draft-pick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">going from the Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Rodney McGruder and a future second-round draft pick</a>. (Editor's Note: The Pistons-Nuggets trade with Bol Bol was voided on Jan. 13 due to a failed physical, per <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2022/01/13/bol-bol-trade-detroit-off/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Denver Post's Mike Singer</a>).
You may recall that Bol was one of the country&rsquo;s best high school prospects in a 2018 senior class that famously included Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, the three of which he directly followed in <a href="http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2018/order/true">ESPN&rsquo;s Top 100</a>. It isn&rsquo;t full proof &mdash; you&rsquo;ll occasionally have a <a href="http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2012/order/true">Kaleb Tarczewski</a> &mdash; but typically, you&rsquo;ll get an NBA rotation player more often than you don&rsquo;t in that top-four tier. 
And in Bol's lone season at the University of Oregon, where he committed to before the 2018-19 college basketball season, the big man averaged 21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while putting up .561/.520/.757 shooting splits. The common player comparison was Kristaps Porziņģis &mdash; <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-news-bol-bol-says-his-game-is-similar-to-mavs-kristaps-porzingis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one he even drew himself as a rookie</a> &mdash; and if you watched Bol work, you might&rsquo;ve arrived at the same conclusion.
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The issue is, even as he produced all of that in just 29.8 minutes per contest, many had questions about the sustainability of his game, largely for health reasons. Bol played nine college games before a season-ending foot injury cut his long year with the Ducks short. He then entered the 2019 draft, where he fell to round two after once being considered a top-five pick.
As a result, we knew Bol would be handled with kid gloves, caution tape and bubble wrap coming into the league, so much that he was signed to a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelrush/2019/09/06/why-bol-bol-signing-a-two-way-contract-with-the-nuggets-is-raising-eyebrows/?sh=7516db26534e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two-way contract</a> after being drafted as opposed to inking a typical rookie-scale deal. For somebody who Nuggets president Tim Connelly claimed to have had in the <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842235-nuggets-gm-tim-connelly-says-bol-bol-was-top-10-on-draft-board-despite-injury" target="_blank" rel="noopener">top-10 of the franchise's internal big board</a>, it was a hell of a way to show it.
We weren&rsquo;t supposed to see Bol in the NBA in his first year (and even in the G League, he <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/b/bolbo01d.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">only appeared eight times</a>), but it took a pandemic for him to hit the floor in the Orlando Bubble when the 2019-20 season resumed. Bol played in seven regular season games, averaging 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per contest with 500/.444/.800 splits; he later added four garbage-time appearances in the Nuggets' blowout playoff losses. But as a rookie who sat for most of the year, we understood it.
After that, coming into his sophomore campaign, he was finally signed to a standard two-year contract worth over $4 million, a deal that expires after this season. For context, Bol is making over $2.1 million this season, which is more than the Miami Heat are paying Max Strus ($1.67 million), Gabe Vincent ($1.67 million), Omer Yurtseven ($1.49 million) and Caleb Martin ($462K), who are winning games for their shorthanded selves.
During the previous two seasons, we&rsquo;ve seen Bol for 247 of those 355 total minutes. This year, despite COVID and injuries to the Nuggets, he's only played 81 minutes in total.
And in these last two seasons in which Bol has played 49 games, including three playoff appearances and 14 contests this year, he&rsquo;s averaged around five minutes per game... That&rsquo;s it.&nbsp;
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As far as we know &mdash; beyond the foot injury at Oregon that lingered into Year 1 &mdash;&nbsp; Bol hasn't had any major injury setbacks, and even liked a tweet months ago <a href="https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nuggets_bol_bol_hinting_he_wants_out_of_denver/s1_127_36259724" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calling for him to be traded and freed elsewhere</a>.&nbsp;
Reasonably, the Nuggets are wholly justified in essentially redshirting Bol the first season and being careful since. With that said, there are questions that need answers regarding his first two-and-a-half seasons in Denver.
Has he been playing hard in practice? Is he engaged behind the scenes? Have promises been made that the organization never kept? Given his lack of on-court visibility, has he developed or taken a step in ways we can&rsquo;t quantify?&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s even stranger that Denver didn&rsquo;t try him out for extended periods given all the team's injuries, specifically to Jamal Murray, who tore his ACL in April, and Michael Porter Jr., who had... something called lumbar spine surgery just over a month ago. (Jeez, fam.)
Merely on the court, it isn&rsquo;t uncommon for second-round picks &mdash; even guys who were previously projected in the lottery &mdash; to just not find a fit on the team that drafted them (or, in this case, traded for on draft night). It just usually isn&rsquo;t this&nbsp;way. And in Denver&rsquo;s specific case, people envisioned what 2020-21 NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, in particular, <a href="https://twitter.com/HarrisonWind/status/1477522949338923008" target="_blank" rel="noopener">could do in a frontline alongside Bol</a>.
Remember how excited the streets were when Bol started a Bubble scrimmage alongside Jokić, who ran point?
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Typically people wouldn&rsquo;t care about a guy riding the bench if he didn&rsquo;t belong, but with Bol, we don&rsquo;t actually know. We have had enough glimpses and warranted excitement to suggest that Bol could play, or just enough of a curiosity and want to see if he can.
This isn&rsquo;t all to say that Bol will definitively be the unicorn in waiting some projected heading into the 2019 NBA Draft. It is to say that still, three years later, we don&rsquo;t know how good he actually is. All we&rsquo;re asking is: Can we finally&nbsp;find out?

Bryan Fonseca revisits Bol Bol's odd stint with the Nuggets and is hopeful that he can find a role in the near future.

Can we just finally see Bol Bol play basketball, please?

The 2022 NBA trade deadline is on February 10 at 3 p.m. ET, which is exactly one month away.
However, in recent weeks, things have been very quiet on the trade front since COVID-19 has been ravaging NBA rosters. In December, 247 players were sidelined due to the league&rsquo;s health and safety protocols, so executives have mostly been focused on finding replacement players. This season, 586 players have appeared in at least one game, which is a new NBA record.
Needless to say, front offices didn't have much time to weigh their trade options. And while the NBA G League Showcase in Las Vegas is typically where a lot of trade conversations take place, that wasn&rsquo;t the case this year.
"We are in survival mode," one NBA executive <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32946948/what-insiders-buzzing-g-league-showcase-ongoing-roster-chaos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told ESPN</a> at the G League Showcase. "Right now we are living in a day-to-day world, and my primary focus is making sure that there are at least eight healthy bodies each game."
While there have been some minor NBA trades recently (such as <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/cavs-smart-and-swift-to-acquire-backup-point-guard-but-is-rondo-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rajon Rondo to Cleveland</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nuggets-trading-bol-bol-to-pistons-for-rodney-mcgruder-draft-pick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bol Bol to Detroit</a>), executives who spoke to BasketballNews.com confirmed that things were very quiet throughout December.&nbsp;
However, now that <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/with-only-47-players-out-nbas-new-covid-protocols-seem-to-be-working" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fewer and fewer players are landing in the NBA&rsquo;s health and safety protocols</a>, trade talks are finally starting to heat up.
"There is starting to be some momentum on the trade market," one Eastern Conference general manager told BasketballNews.com.
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One Western Conference executive added: &ldquo;It was very quiet last month. Now that most teams have made it past COVID (for now, knock on wood), it&rsquo;s picking back up.&rdquo;
It remains to be seen whether this uptick in trade talks will actually translate to completed deals.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Things are heating up in the sense that teams are starting to show their cards more,&rdquo; said the Western Conference executive. &ldquo;But I doubt anything is actionable until closer to the deadline.&rdquo;
Multiple executives predicted that this trade deadline would be pretty active. But that will likely depend on how many sellers emerge between now and February 10.
&ldquo;I think it will be a run-of-the-mill deadline as far as activity,&rdquo; said the West executive. &ldquo;On one hand, it&rsquo;s wide open this year, so more teams might be willing to make a move and really go for it; on the other hand, there are so few sellers and there&rsquo;s not much of interest on those teams, so there may not be many impact players available.&rdquo;
BasketballNews.com will keep you up-to-date on the latest news and rumors. Recently, our staff broke down potential landing spots for trade candidates such as <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-ben-simmons-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Simmons</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/exploring-trade-destinations-for-domantas-sabonis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domantas Sabonis</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-myles-turner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Myles Turner</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-jerami-grant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerami Grant</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-buddy-hield" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buddy Hield</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-trade-destinations-for-christian-wood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian Wood</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-caris-levert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caris LeVert</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/finding-the-perfect-team-and-deal-for-terrence-ross" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Terrence Ross</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-dennis-schrder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dennis Schr&ouml;der</a>.

After a very slow December, multiple NBA executives told Alex Kennedy that trade talks are starting to heat up.

After a slow December, trade talks are 'heating up' around the NBA

The Detroit Pistons are finalizing a deal to acquire l Denver Nuggets&rsquo; F Bol Bol for Rodney McGruder and a future second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1480259982826164226" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;The Pistons acquire an intriguing prospect in the 7-foot-2 Bol, who had played sparingly for the Nuggets this season. The 22-year-old is averaging 2.4 points in 5.8 minutes per game in 2021-22, appearing in 14 contests. McGruder, a 30-year-old shooting guard, had also made reserve appearances for Detroit. He was averaging 2.5 points in 9.5 minutes per game. Per Wojnarowski, the second-round pick will be in 2022 via Brooklyn.

The Pistons acquire an intriguing prospect in the 7-foot-2 Bol, who had played sparingly for the Nuggets this season.

Nuggets trading Bol Bol to Pistons for Rodney McGruder, draft pick

A new era of Detroit Pistons basketball has officially begun in the Motor City. After over a decade of waiting anxiously for a return to relevance since the golden years of Chauncey Billups, Richard &ldquo;Rip&rdquo; Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace, Detroit is back on the map.
Securing their first No. 1 overall pick in franchise history, Detroit landed one of the most pro-ready star prospects in the modern era.
Cade Cunningham instantly became Detroit&rsquo;s top sports figure once he donned the Pistons&rsquo; hat during the 2021 NBA Draft. After dominating the competition at Oklahoma State University on his way to winning the Wayman Tisdale Award (given to the top freshman in college basketball), Cunningham was a sure-fire No. 1 selection with limited flaws in his repertoire.
Cunningham represents how franchise-changing players enter the NBA: jumbo playmakers who can score efficiently on all three levels. Many of today's top young stars, such as Devin Booker, Trae Young, Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum, possess these traits that have helped them reach new heights in short order.
Becoming the immediate No. 1 option in Detroit&rsquo;s system, Cunningham will put up numbers during his rookie season, but don&rsquo;t sleep on his defense. Cunningham has every tool at his disposal to become a top-20 player in the league within the next few years, which should make Pistons fans giddy for their immediate- and long-term future.
During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Cunningham has continuously flashed his sky-high potential by averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting an eye-opening 50% (13-for-26) on three-point attempts. Of course, it&rsquo;s a small three-game sample size, but Cunningham is showing exactly why he was one of the easiest No. 1 picks in recent memory.
With their young superstar secured for nearly a decade, Detroit also has a promising trio of prospects already in their development system.
2020-21 All-Rookie forward Saddiq Bey is locked in as Detroit&rsquo;s wing of the future. Perfectly fitting within the 3-and-D label, Bey shined last season, averaging 12.2 points with a 38.8% clip from deep.
Killian Hayes, the No. 7 overall pick from the 2020 draft, struggled adjusting to NBA speed on both ends, but he looks the part of a low-usage primary initiator who can play solid point-of-attack defense.
Isaiah Stewart made veteran center Mason Plumlee expendable after showcasing real value as a multi-faceted big man who can contribute in every fashion. Among players who logged at least 700 minutes last season, only four averaged 13.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes: Rudy Gobert, Clint Capela, Robert Williams and Stewart.
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The No. 1 pick can join this solid young core and quickly expedite their rebuild. Cunningham, Bey and Stewart check the boxes at each of the game&rsquo;s three foundational spots (ball=handler, wing and big), but questions still loom about whether Hayes is a compatible fit long-term alongside Cunningham due to his lack of shooting at this stage.
We haven&rsquo;t even discussed Jerami Grant yet, who exploded onto the national scene once he finally received an expanded role in Detroit. Showcasing himself as one of the NBA's best role players in Oklahoma City and Denver &mdash; thriving alongside stars such as Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray &mdash; Grant decided to bet on himself, signing with the Pistons instead of returning to a potential Finals contender. During the 2020-21 season, Grant averaged 22.3 points as his career-best usage rate jumped over 10 percentage points from the year prior with the Nuggets (18.0% to 28.5%).
Detroit is still a year or two away from playoff contention, but having Grant on board will ease the pressure placed upon Cunningham. The Grant-Cunningham duo will create highlight moments and wreak havoc in two-way situations as a guard-wing combination. Cunningham will allow Grant to slide back into a secondary role as well, which should make him an even stronger complement to the Oklahoma State product.
Although they will surely fly well under the radar next season, Detroit has a complementary core that fits well together. Cunningham, Bey and Stewart are part of the long-term core, while Grant has the potential to ascend to an All-Star-caliber player with extra help surrounding him.
This leads us back to the biggest question currently on Detroit&rsquo;s roster: Hayes. The 20-year-old French point guard is the X-Factor in Detroit's status as a rising franchise. Hayes struggled mightily during his rookie campaign, which resulted in a porous 42.2% True Shooting percentage. Hayes flashed the defensive ability to handle point guards in one-on-one matchups, but the offense was a net negative. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 6.8 points per game while shooting 27.8% on three-pointers. In order for Hayes to become a strong complement to the sturdy core already in place, he needs to expand his two-way profile.
So far in Las Vegas, the results haven&rsquo;t been encouraging during Summer League action. Hayes is 7-for-22 (31.8%) from the floor, including 2-for-11 (18.2%) from deep. Hayes&rsquo; inability to keep defenses honest is a real concern moving forward, questioning again whether he can be a real complementary piece around Cunningham, who needs floor-spacers to showcase his playmaking chops as a 6-foot-8 offensive engine.
Once Detroit added Cunningham, they made a real effort to acquire perimeter gravity within their system. Signing Kelly Olynyk to a three-year, $37.2 million contract on the first day of free agency &mdash; the best floor-spacing big on the open market &mdash; sent a message about how the Pistons' offense will function in 2021-22 and beyond: completely through their generationally-talented rookie. Detroit also signed Trey Lyles, another jump-shooting big, and re-signed Frank Jackson and Rodney McGruder.
Hamidou Diallo, whom Detroit acquired mid-season from Oklahoma City, has his restricted offer waiting from the Pistons. It&rsquo;s currently a waiting game between both sides, but it should get done eventually, returning a springy athlete to feast on lobs and cuts around the basket from Cunningham.
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Scanning through Detroit&rsquo;s rotation, it&rsquo;s not a collection of misfit toys. There&rsquo;s real talent assembled in the Motor City, allowing head coach Dwane Casey to trot out a potential 10-12 man unit that could look like this:
Starters: Killian Hayes, Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart
Bench: Frank Jackson, Saben Lee, Hamidou Diallo, Rodney McGruder, Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles, Kelly Olynyk
Sure, the Pistons are not a real threat in 2021-22 and perhaps not in 2022-23. However, don&rsquo;t be surprised if the team makes a leap quicker than expected. With Cunningham, they have a win-now, face-of-the-franchise prospect who could lift a subpar roster on his own terms. Throw in their strong ancillary pieces and Detroit is coming down the pipeline as a real Eastern Conference playoff threat. In the meantime, they&rsquo;re definitely near the top of the list of squads to follow on NBA League Pass throughout the season.

Although the Detroit Pistons are still a few years away, a new era led by an enticing young core provides hope for the future.

Motor City Renaissance: The future is now for the Pistons

Before we look ahead to Lakers-Warriors (the most epic game of the week, one would think), the play-in tournament and all of the first-round playoff series that will begin next weekend, we need to take a closer look at the 10 teams that failed to make the expanded postseason and what to expect from them this offseason.
This will be play-in week for the eight NBA teams that qualified for the expanded postseason but did not finish top-six in their respective conferences. Two of them (the losers of the 9/10 games) will be finished with their seasons by Wednesday night, and two more by Friday, moving them into exit interviews and draft-prep mode.
But let&rsquo;s start with a bottom-up look at the teams conducting exit interviews with their players today.
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HOUSTON ROCKETS: The Rockets finished with the NBA&rsquo;s worst overall record (17-55) and worst home record (9-27), and lost their season finale to Atlanta by 29. Since March 29, they lost 23 of 27 games. And let&rsquo;s just say it wasn&rsquo;t supposed to be this way when they opened the season with James Harden, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins on their roster and immediately started getting huge production from Christian Wood. Not yielding to Harden&rsquo;s trade demand in the preseason cost them; the deal that brought them Victor Oladipo actually didn&rsquo;t turn out all that bad for them when they flipped Oladipo for a very productive Kelly Olynyk, but now there is talk of a buyout for Wall, who is owed $91.6 million over the next two years if he exercises his player option, as a long rebuild ensues. Olynyk will be an unrestricted free agent and will likely leave, which means the core they are building around includes Wood, Jae&rsquo;Sean Tate, KJ Martin, Kevin Porter Jr. and whatever they can get for Eric Gordon, who injured his groin in early March and did not return. The next big date on their calendar is the June 22 draft lottery, and because they finished with one of the three worst records, they have an equal chance (with Detroit and Orlando) of winning the No. 1 overall pick, which is projected to be Cade Cunningham of Oklahoma State.
DETROIT PISTONS: A season that began with Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin on the roster ended with a 13-point loss to a Miami Heat team that rested most of its regulars, and Troy Weaver heads into the offseason with decisions to make on Cory Joseph (non-guaranteed $12.6 million), Rodney McGruder (non-guaranteed $5 million) and Dennis Smith Jr. (eligible for a $7.7 million qualifying offer). Assuming all of those are declined, but Hamidou Diallo&rsquo;s $2.07 million qualifying offer is extended, the Pistons will have somewhere in the area of $20 million in cap room, depending on where the salary cap comes in following a season of vastly reduced revenues. Jerami Grant was a nice signing a year ago, and now the Pistons need to find some offense from the wing positions and hope Killian Hayes can have a full healthy season. Detroit had the league&rsquo;s fourth-worst offense in terms of points per game. With Isaiah Stewart finishing the season so strongly, is there a market for the underrated Mason Plumlee?
ORLANDO MAGIC: A bottom-three finish seemed unlikely after they started 4-0 and had Nikola Vucevic playing at an All-Star level, and it never quite made sense that they offloaded Vucevic at the same time they got rid of Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier. All-Stars do not grow on trees, and Wendell Carter Jr. (acquired from Chicago) was being outplayed by other bigs on the Bulls and now the same thing is happening on the Magic. They will have Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac back next season, Otto Porter and his expiring $28 million contract now comes off their books, and the only contract decision they have to make soon is whether to pick up Dwayne Bacon&rsquo;s $1.8 million non-guarantee. R.J. Hampton <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-orlando-magic-rj-hampton-q-and-a-i-dont-think-you-can-put-a-cap-on-our-ceiling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just won Rookie of the Month for May</a> and Cole Anthony has shown plenty of promise as well. John Hammond, Jeff Weltman and Steve Clifford have roughly $28 million of cap space to work with, and the Magic have their own pick along with Chicago&rsquo;s (top-4 protected). Choosing three of the top-33 draft picks will keep the scouting staff busy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
One of the most exciting rookies in the NBA! HBD <a href="https://twitter.com/The_ColeAnthony?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@The_ColeAnthony</a> <a href="https://t.co/KW0Y04sOUY">pic.twitter.com/KW0Y04sOUY</a>
&mdash; Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1393623077238493184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2021</a></blockquote>

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OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: The only NBA team that never opened its arena to fans, the Thunder made the questionable decision to shelve Al Horford immediately after the trade deadline, after which they lost 26 of their final 29 games, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's injury was handled with extreme caution. Their victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on the final night of the season actually hurt them because it prevented a tiebreak situation with the Magic, who finished with a 21-51 record to OKC&rsquo;s 22-50 record. Sam Presti is going to do what Sam Presti wants to do, and it will be interesting to see whether NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses the unprecedented move that was made with Horford &ndash; something his predecessor, David Stern, never would have allowed. If the veteran big man and Gilgeous-Alexander had finished the season, we probably would not have the Spurs in the No. 10 spot. OKC was just five games under .500 in late March.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Cleveland's trophy acquisition is Jarrett Allen, who was a superb pickup by Koby Altman. Still, they were unable to turn Andre Drummond into anything, and the loss of Darius Garland for most of the final three weeks of the season kept him from further developing chemistry with fellow backcourt speedster Collin Sexton. The Cavs still owe Kevin Love $60 million, and they must pay Taurean Prince $13 million next season unless they can find a taker on the trade market. He averaged only 10.1 points and 3.7 rebounds after coming over from Brooklyn, but Altman had to take him for salary-matching purposes. The Anderson Varejao re-signing was pretty cool, so we will give them that. Otherwise, the rebuild figures to be slow unless Love and Prince can be moved, which seems unlikely.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: The A-Rod era will begin next season, and keeping Karl-Anthony Towns happy will be Project A, B and C. One of the league&rsquo;s best people and best players, he has been in the NBA for six years after being the No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 draft, and he has a nice running mate now in Anthony Edwards along with his buddy, D&rsquo;Angelo Russell. Ricky Rubio, entering the final season of a contract that will pay him $17.8 million, seems superfluous and could be moved if a pick was coming back in return. The Wolves&rsquo; pick in this year's draft will go to Golden State unless it is top-3, in which case Minnesota's 2022 pick becomes unprotected and will go to the Warriors. Chris Finch will have a training camp for the first time to work with whatever the roster looks like, and help will not come through free agency, as the Wolves are projected to be over the cap.
TORONTO RAPTORS: The future of team president Masai Ujiri seems very much up in the air. He is the director of Basketball Without Borders, and ESPN&rsquo;s Adrian Wojnarowski has suggested Ujiri <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CODxcX6haii/?igshid=1nsv2bsewml2h" target="_blank" rel="noopener">will look elsewhere for his next job</a> and hand the reins over to general manager Bobby Webster. The Raptors get a pass for their failure of a season because they had to relocate to Tampa, Fla., which meant that they basically played 72 road games when not working on their tans and fighting off mosquitoes and alligators. Webster/Ujiri will likely look at all possible sign-and-trade scenarios for Kyle Lowry, who may feel it is time to move on. Decisions must be made on the non-guaranteed contracts of Rodney Hood, Aron Baynes, Chris Boucher, DeAndre' Bembry, Paul Watson Jr., Yuta Watanabe and Freddie Gillespie. If all are declined, the Raps would have about $30 million in cap space to play with.
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2020-21 Closing thoughts: Coach Nurse <a href="https://t.co/ffAsqLN1zv">pic.twitter.com/ffAsqLN1zv</a>
&mdash; Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1394319579237736449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote>

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SACRAMENTO KINGS: It would not be surprising to see the Kings lose Richaun Holmes, who has <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-richaun-holmes-qa-interview-free-agency-all-defensive-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turned into a terrific NBA player</a> and may want to play in a bigger market for a franchise that has not grown as accustomed to bad seasons as the Kings have. They have not won a playoff series since 2003-04 and have not played a playoff game since 2005-06. Does Vivek Ranadive keep head coach Luke Walton around? De'Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield account for more than $70 million of next season&rsquo;s payroll, and Marvin Bagley III adds an additional $11.3 million. General manager Monte McNair came up under Daryl Morey in Houston, so he has seen proactive roster turnovers when the situation called for it. What is in question is whether Bagley or Hield could bring anything of value in return on the trade market because both have not lived up to expectations. They seem likely to appear in a similar column approximately one year from now.
CHICAGO BULLS: The Bulls made so many deals at the deadline and did not have enough acclimation time following March 25. Getting Nikola Vucevic at such a small cost was a coup for executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas in his first season. Now he must decide on non-guarantees for Thaddeus Young ($14.1 million) and Tomas Satoransky ($10 million), and the franchise should expect to see Al-Farouq Aminu exercise his player option and thereby remain on the roster with a salary of $10.1 million. Lauri Markkanen should receive his qualifying offer of $9.026 million, and perhaps the biggest question is whether this team will stick with Coby White as the point guard of the future or try to find a way to get a player such as Kyle Lowry to be their primary playmaker.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: All in all, it was not a good season for David Griffin, Stan Van Gundy, Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram after the previous campaign ended with so much promise. The JJ Redick episode did not make anyone happy. The season ended with four-consecutive losses and Ls in six of the final eight games, a $50,000 fine for Griffin for complaining that Williamson&rsquo;s broken finger was the result of rough treatment of the former overall No. 1 pick that was being overlooked by the referees. Not one single player appeared in all 72 games &ndash; although Eric Bledsoe came up closest with 71. James Johnson and Willy Hernangomez are the only unrestricted free agents of note, and Lonzo Ball will be a restricted free agent who could solve some roster problems through a sign-and-trade. Griffin will have three extra second-round picks, and next year he gets the Lakers&rsquo; pick unprotected.

Chris Sheridan checks in with the organizations whose respective seasons ended Sunday and areas they'll need to address.

Closing the door on the NBA's 10 non-playoff teams

Prior to this year's NBA Trade Deadline, BasketballNews.com rounded up its writers and asked them to share their thoughts and predictions ahead of Thursday's flurry of moves. Over the next few days, we'll be dropping a number of these Roundtable articles. Today, we asked our staffers:&nbsp;
Which team should be a seller?
Nekias Duncan: Aside from Toronto, it would be nice to see the Orlando Magic finally sell off some stuff. Aaron Gordon isn&rsquo;t a long-term fit, nor is Terrence Ross, Evan Fournier, Khem Birch&hellip; you get my drift. It&rsquo;s time to make some moves so that a long-term vision for this roster can become clear. Right now, there&rsquo;s no telling what the Magic are even trying to do.
Alex Kennedy: The Detroit Pistons have the second-worst record in the NBA at 12-31, and the team clearly isn't going to be competing for a playoff spot in the near future. With that in mind, I'd be looking to move veterans like Wayne Ellington (33 years old), Mason Plumlee (31) and Rodney McGruder (29) for young players and draft picks. Moving Derrick Rose for Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick was smart; that's exactly what this team should be doing. I loved the addition of Hamidou Diallo too. We'll see if Detroit continues to make these kinds of moves on Thursday.
Spencer Davies: You almost have to preface that question with its own question: &ldquo;Who has assets?&rdquo; It&rsquo;s no secret that the Houston Rockets want to get the most they can for Victor Oladipo. We&rsquo;ve heard the rumblings surrounding the Orlando Magic with Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier, as that era is likely coming to an end. Are the Sacramento Kings going to continue on that same path? Because Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes are good pieces that could return some value. It also wouldn&rsquo;t be surprising to see the Toronto Raptors cash in on Norman Powell&rsquo;s career season, as he&rsquo;s going to look for a big pay day in the summer.
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Chris Sheridan: The Orlando Magic. John Hammond needs to keep Nikola Vucevic and get whatever he can for Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier to engineer a quick rebuild built around Vuc, Jonathan Issac and Markelle Fultz. The Magic were a Murphy's Law victim this season, but even at full strength were never going to be a championship contender. They need one or two good, young coachable wing players and an extra first-round pick. Gordon is in demand, and I expect Hammond to be able to get good value in return -- the type of value that enables a quick turnaround.
Moke Hamilton: If you&rsquo;re a team that&rsquo;s under .500 without at least one young superstar-caliber player who can conceivably lead you to the playoffs, then you should be a seller. The Rockets seem to qualify, as do the Wizards and Magic. If I had to pick one, I&rsquo;d probably go with the Magic, though. You can only try with Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon for so long before you decide to go in another direction, and each have enough value to get a decent return back in a potential deal. The Wizards at least have Brad Beal (and Russell Westbrook), while Houston has assembled a nice collection of future draft picks in recent months. It might be time for Orlando to embrace rebuilding (again) around Markelle Fultz and whichever of Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac or Mo Bamba gives them the look and feel of a cornerstone.
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Jannelle Moore: I think the Toronto Raptors should sell. Kyle Lowry will be a unrestricted free agent after the season and their best bet is trading him now to get a player (and picks) to help them rather than letting him walk in the offseason without getting anything in return.&nbsp;
Ethan Fuller: This might be an off-beat pick, but the Indiana Pacers should absolutely sell. They are another East contender under .500, but don't have the star power to inspire confidence. What they do have are a number of solid rotation pieces (Myles Turner, Doug McDermott, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, T.J. McConnell and more) who could help teams chasing a title. It's time for Indiana to reload the prospect chest and raise the franchise's ceiling.
Danny Cunningham: The Toronto Raptors should be sellers this year, although it&rsquo;s unlikely that will actually happen. Banners hang forever, and that franchise will always have the magical playoff run of 2019, but it&rsquo;s probably time for Masai Ujiri to examine what the future of the team looks like and put in place building blocks around Pascal Siakam to try and open up another window of contention, because this just isn&rsquo;t their year.
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Jonathan Concool: The Orlando Magic. It&rsquo;s time to move on from Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon. These guys are far too talented to be wasting their primes on a team that hasn&rsquo;t won a playoff series since 2010. Orlando could get real assets in return and start rebuilding from scratch, as a fresh start is desperately needed down in Central Florida.
Sharon Brown: I believe the San Antonio Spurs might be sellers and will finally get with the youth movement. LaMarcus Aldridge already isn't with the team. Is it possible that we could see them part ways with DeMar Derozan, Rudy Gay and/or Patty Mills next?
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MORE ROUNDTABLES:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-trade-deadline-roundtable-will-this-be-an-active-trade-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Will this be an active trade deadline?</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-trade-deadline-roundtable-who-is-the-biggest-name-that-will-be-moved" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Who's the biggest name that will be dealt?</a>
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<div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-i023vh"><a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-trade-deadline-roundtable-which-team-is-in-desperate-need-of-a-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Which team desperately needs a trade?</a></div>
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As the NBA trade deadline approaches, which teams should be sellers? BasketballNews.com's staff shares their thoughts!

NBA Trade Deadline Roundtable: Which team should be a seller?

Each day, BasketballNews.com scours #NBATwitter to bring you the best tweets from the previous day. Some are insightful, some are just hilarious (so we had to include them).
Without further ado, here are the tweets of the day for February 19, 2021.
The Future Is In Good Hands
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
<a href="https://t.co/f1OrOpJ2ib">pic.twitter.com/f1OrOpJ2ib</a>
&mdash; Noor (@zainroon) <a href="https://twitter.com/zainroon/status/1362540105626443779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Malachi Flynn may have only checked in for the final minutes of the game, but he became the most recent member of the NBA/G League Doubleheader Club, and the only player this season to have played in two games in one day.
She Doesn&rsquo;t Even Go Here!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Just seen our assistant trainer face for the first time all season...didn&rsquo;t know who the hell he was 🤷🏾&zwj;♂️🤣😷
&mdash; Chris Paul (@CP3) <a href="https://twitter.com/CP3/status/1362554381980340224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Chris Paul being unable to recognize the Suns&rsquo; assistant trainer because he has only ever seen that person with a mask on is reminiscent of Ron Baker having to prove to Knicks security that he does in fact play for the team.
Show Yourself
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
One NBA player voted for Klay Thompson to start in the All-Star Game despite the fact that he's out with a torn Achilles. The fans voting for Klay is one thing, but a PLAYER?! I wonder who it was.
&mdash; Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1362629923102457861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Who is the one player that voted for an injured Klay Thompson to start the All-Star Game? Wrong answers only. I&rsquo;m gonna say Rodney McGruder.
Enhanced Safety Protocols
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
<a href="https://t.co/4CDVvT4PNt">pic.twitter.com/4CDVvT4PNt</a>
&mdash; RayZiken | Raptors 14-15😭 | gg bucs (@rayquabIaze) <a href="https://twitter.com/rayquabIaze/status/1362610725760299008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>

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The Bucks have been socially distancing from the Larry O&rsquo;Brien trophy since way before COVID. Safety first!
What&rsquo;s the Opposite of a Curse?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
If you're still bitter about Shaq (re: Siakam), just remember the last All-Star he slandered. Jazz are 13-1 since that awkward interview. <a href="https://t.co/7MMIabR563">pic.twitter.com/7MMIabR563</a>
&mdash; Jay Rosales (@Rosalesaurus) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rosalesaurus/status/1362764586022285321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>

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It used to be that when Paul Pierce said a team wasn&rsquo;t making the playoffs, they became an automatic shoo-in. Now Shaq -- who did not know NBA champion, All-Star, and Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam&rsquo;s first name -- has graciously accepted this role.
See a tweet that should be featured in tomorrow's Tweet of the Day piece? Send it to <a href="https://twitter.com/kelsea_lately" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@kelsea_lately</a>.

Every day, our Kelsea O'Brien scours #NBATwitter to find the best posts. Here are the tweets of the day for Feb. 19, 2021.

NBA Tweets of the Day: Mystery Men

Each day, BasketballNews.com scours #NBATwitter to bring you the best tweets from the previous day. Some are insightful, some are just hilarious (so we had to include them).
Without further ado, here are the tweets of the day for February 1, 2021.
Shooters Shoot (From Wherever)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Dwight Howard&rsquo;s free throw distance is getting outta hand <a href="https://t.co/4NSGQpP1TQ">pic.twitter.com/4NSGQpP1TQ</a>
&mdash; Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasmineLWatkins/status/1355026122610794498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Free-throw shooting is the strangest argument in basketball analysis, because if it goes in, who cares? More players should shoot underhand, and more should shoot from a completely different area code like Dwight Howard.
Role Model
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
I&rsquo;m usually not scared to share news publicly but the amount of hate, myths &amp; ignorance actually had me debating sharing this joy. I had Top Surgery! I&rsquo;m feeling free &amp; euphoric in my body &amp; want Trans people to know and see that we&rsquo;ve always existed &amp; no one can erase us! 🏳️&zwj;⚧️✊🏽❤️ <a href="https://t.co/6ERDPoQGwb">pic.twitter.com/6ERDPoQGwb</a>
&mdash; Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) <a href="https://twitter.com/Layshiac/status/1355237900963573760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Layshia Clarendon has always been a role model, from using their position on the WNBA&rsquo;s Social Justice Council, to never letting the conversation about the tragic death of Breonna Taylor and so many other Black women be forgotten, to now sharing with the entire world -- a world that can be cruel and unforgiving to things they don&rsquo;t understand -- their decision to undergo top surgery in an effort to live a more authentic life.
If Your Girl Says Hey to Me, That&rsquo;s Our Girl Now
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
It&rsquo;s not covid, he&rsquo;s the reason I won&rsquo;t take my girl to games.
&mdash; Franz Gr&uuml;ber (@franz_gruber49) <a href="https://twitter.com/franz_gruber49/status/1355302595871473665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2021</a></blockquote>

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It&rsquo;s a good thing that arenas aren&rsquo;t open to the public, because Walt Frazier getting his &lsquo;fit on while looking happy as a clam doing it would distract every fan in attendance.
Whoop De Doo, Basil
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
You guys keep tagging me on this like 40 plus years of failing miserably has been erased bc you have the best record after 18 games. <a href="https://t.co/DhSRkvAY71">pic.twitter.com/DhSRkvAY71</a>
&mdash; Vernon Maxwell (@VernonMaxwell11) <a href="https://twitter.com/VernonMaxwell11/status/1355195330036445187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Vernon Maxwell using retirement to consistently dunk on the Utah Jazz is my favorite retired player venture.
This Is A Larry Nance Jr. Fan Account
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
They said I&rsquo;m a buzz kill because I told them they couldn&rsquo;t outrun a lion 😑 <a href="https://t.co/DSvaRkHAYP">https://t.co/DSvaRkHAYP</a>
&mdash; Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) <a href="https://twitter.com/Larrydn22/status/1355194091101954048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2021</a></blockquote>

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How can we be sure though? Who is asking the question? Who is convinced they can outrun a lion?
All I Need Is One Mic
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Had to put <a href="https://twitter.com/Money23Green?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Money23Green</a>&rsquo;s thoughts on Rodney McGruder with the Ether instrumental 😂😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/IrrvWXksTu">pic.twitter.com/IrrvWXksTu</a>
&mdash; Randy Cruz (@randyjcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/randyjcruz/status/1355881349954088965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Never has Rodney McGruder&rsquo;s name been mentioned so much in a single weekend.
The Creation of Adam Damian
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/jeffhaynesmedia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jeffhaynesmedia</a> nailed this moment of Dame's buzzer-beater <a href="https://t.co/Kh225UKUI6">pic.twitter.com/Kh225UKUI6</a>
&mdash; Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1355779052628488192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2021</a></blockquote>

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WHY IS THERE A CAR THERE????????
Friendship
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
No doubt this is my favorite image from tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/EnesKanter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EnesKanter</a> is quickly becoming a <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a> cult-hero, and <a href="https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dame_Lillard</a> is a legend forever in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RipCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RipCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/gbK4itIzQ5">pic.twitter.com/gbK4itIzQ5</a>
&mdash; Curtis Long (@Principal_Long) <a href="https://twitter.com/Principal_Long/status/1355739022115491843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2021</a></blockquote>

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More teammates should kiss each other, in my opinion. Normalize kissing your friends gently on the head after their successes.
Lip Sync For Your Life
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Can&rsquo;t believe nobody caught Lowry telling T-Ross he was gonna fuck up Aaron Gordon. LMFAOOO ☠️ <a href="https://t.co/izpNNzRlUK">pic.twitter.com/izpNNzRlUK</a>
&mdash; AD (@ADthePlug) <a href="https://twitter.com/ADthePlug/status/1356044394370113537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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This wasn&rsquo;t the first rodeo featuring both Kyle Lowry and Aaron Gordon, nor was it the only one where Kyle&rsquo;s lips can clearly be read.
Catch Me Outside
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
863 was his room number, Aaron Gordon. Where were you? <a href="https://t.co/EO7AnM1mgQ">pic.twitter.com/EO7AnM1mgQ</a>
&mdash; dan (@TorontoInSix) <a href="https://twitter.com/TorontoInSix/status/1356041565089763329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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The same way that more players should kiss, more players should also be allowed to throw a punch or two outside of the game so that serious injuries (and flagrant fouls) don&rsquo;t occur during the game.
He Shoulda Been Hoopin&rsquo; Instead of Killin&rsquo; People
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
If Slender Man hadn&rsquo;t turned to a life of crime, I bet he could have been a pretty solid stretch four in today&rsquo;s NBA. With those physical tools he has real 3 and D potential!
&mdash; Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshgondelman/status/1356053994146304010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Slenderman is just the newest addition to the &ldquo;First-Team Should Have Hooped&rdquo; roster.
Seven Seconds Or Less
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
BRADLEY BEAL AND THEN WESTBROOK🔥 <a href="https://t.co/yOMCWfAHHm">pic.twitter.com/yOMCWfAHHm</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1356067027753070593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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The Brooklyn Nets have the worst defensive rating in the NBA, but this is just insane. Beal&rsquo;s shot was understandable, but the scrambling on the inbounds that allowed Westbrook&rsquo;s was...a choice.
Teacher&rsquo;s Pet
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
nets twitter when joe harris committed that inbound turnover vs when tlc missed the potential game winning layup <a href="https://t.co/uDt7FcpRZM">pic.twitter.com/uDt7FcpRZM</a>
&mdash; chiɔinthegeɘk⨟ (@chicinthegeek) <a href="https://twitter.com/chicinthegeek/status/1356076537443807232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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This is what being the oldest sibling is like.
Buckle Up Buckaroos
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Nikola Jokic on his way to win the NBA's 2021 MVP award <a href="https://t.co/6PR5z3ULCm">pic.twitter.com/6PR5z3ULCm</a>
&mdash; Blue Wire Podcasts (@bluewirepods) <a href="https://twitter.com/bluewirepods/status/1355996506986336262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2021</a></blockquote>

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47 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and about a 75% chance that he would actually pull up to the arena like this.
Feelings
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
I feel like Pascal is a very passionate/emotional player &amp; that&rsquo;s definitely why he fluctuates so much in terms of consistency. When he doesn&rsquo;t do well, he stays bummed. When he does well, he stays snapping. Once he gets control over that I think he&rsquo;ll show up more consistently🤷🏼&zwj;♀️
&mdash; P (@paraaand) <a href="https://twitter.com/paraaand/status/1356055910217637891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Emotions rarely show up on the stat sheet, except for technical fouls and ejections, but the case of Pascal Siakam is probably more common than the average fan thinks.
They Think I&rsquo;m Cute
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
He was also asked if, with the increased playing time, he&rsquo;s started to feel like he&rsquo;s being being scouted a bit. He answered that when he hears the other team talking about &ldquo;number 18&rdquo; he thinks &ldquo;oh I made the scouting sheet&rdquo;, and it makes him happy lollll <a href="https://t.co/bD43TxtfZT">pic.twitter.com/bD43TxtfZT</a>
&mdash; Ari P. (@latenightmatcha) <a href="https://twitter.com/latenightmatcha/status/1356092595471065090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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As a Raptors fan, opposing teams taking notice of Yuta makes me uneasy, but this whole thread is so wholesome. (But please don&rsquo;t steal him)
We Believe In Yu
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
did you guys know people discouraged Yuta from going to the US to play basketball because apparently it&rsquo;s gonna be a different level from what he&rsquo;s used to in Japan but his parents encouraged him to go for it and look where he is now. so glad he&rsquo;s with our team right now
&mdash; #startyuta (@rapsdnty) <a href="https://twitter.com/rapsdnty/status/1356078418236989443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Yuta Watanabe&rsquo;s parents supporting his dreams makes his glee at being on the scouting sheet even more adorable.
See a tweet that should be featured in tomorrow's Tweet of the Day piece? Send it to <a href="https://twitter.com/kelsea_lately" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@kelsea_lately</a>.

Every day, our Kelsea O'Brien scours #NBATwitter to find the best posts. Here are the tweets of the day for Feb. 1, 2021.

NBA Tweets of the Day: February 1, 2021

The Clippers are trading Landry Shamet to the Nets. This is a three-way deal that includes the Pistons, with Luke Kennard heading to the Clippers, sources tell ESPN. The Pistons will get the No. 19 pick, giving them three in the Top 20 now. Rodney McGruder is also leaving the Clippers for the Pistons as part of the three-team deal with the Nets, sources tell ESPN. 
Source: <a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1329254227546427392" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter)</a>
ANALYSIS: The Clippers will let go of Landry Shamet, who was great for Los Angeles in his second season in the NBA. Shamet put up 9.3 points per game on 40% shooting from the field and 37.5% from three. The Nets are heavy with guards and it is unclear how Brooklyn will use Shamet in their rotation. The Clippers will receive Luke Kennard who improved significantly in his third season with Detroit, averaging 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Meanwhile, the Pistons who received the 19th pick in this three-way deal, have selected Saddiq Bey out of Villanova.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Clippers will send Landry Shamet to the Nets for the No. 19 pick.