All articles tagged with #pistons
Labaron Philon scores 18 and shows growing playmaking as the Sixers beat the Pistons 101-93 in Summer League, with strong contributions from Johni Broome and Isaac Johnson and a hot shooting stretch from Dante Maddox; the outing highlights Philon's potential while also exposing size and pace questions as he adjusts to pro competition.
Detroit Pistons open Las Vegas Summer League against the Philadelphia 76ers with rookie Ebuka Okorie expected to showcase ball-handling, self-creation, and playmaking, aided by offseason shooting additions like Isaiah Joe, John Collins, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris. Behind the scenes, roster questions linger (Lanier vs. Harris for a spot) as the team weighs 16 guaranteed contracts and two-way players Isaac Jones, Ugonna Onyenso, and new signee Elijah Harkless, all while Okorie aims to draw fouls and score if his outside shot develops. The game is at 5:30 p.m. ET in the Pavilion, Las Vegas, and will stream on Prime Video.
Detroit traded Caris LeVert and two 2027 second-round picks to acquire Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, a move that brings 32 years of accumulated NBA experience to Detroit, trims more than $7 million in salary, and creates a $14.8 million trade exception; LeVert struggled in Detroit, Prince provides reliable shooting as a backup forward, Harris could be waived, and the deal signals a more balanced roster as the Pistons head into the season.
Detroit signs John Collins to a three-year, $51M deal, signaling a reshaped frontcourt and a looming Tobias Harris departure in 2026-27. The move uses cap space for either a direct signing or a sign-and-trade with the Clippers, following recent roster shuffles like the Isaiah Stewart trade. Collins offers elite finishing and floor spacing that fits with Cade Cunningham, but he can’t replicate Harris’ veteran leadership. The Pistons still need a starting center and higher-end wing talent, and could further moves (e.g., waiving Duncan Robinson) to clear space as they pursue additional upgrades.
Detroit center Jalen Duren reportedly wants a sign-and-trade to the Boston Celtics, but the move would be complicated by base year compensation, which would limit salary matching and likely require additional teams. With the Pistons’ stance against BYC and uncertainty around Jaylen Brown, the deal faces significant hurdles and appears unlikely at this stage.
Detroit sent two future second-round picks to Oklahoma City for guard Isaiah Joe, a 6-4 wing who averaged 11.1 points and shot 42.3% from three last season, adding a high-volume 3-point threat to boost floor spacing alongside Duncan Robinson. Joe has two years left on a four-year, $48 million contract (2027-28 club option). The trade follows the Pistons’ draft of Ebuka Okorie and the Isaiah Stewart-for-futures move, as Detroit — built around Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson — pushes for more shooting after a 60-22 season ended in a seven-game loss to Cleveland.
OKC traded shooting guard Isaiah Joe to Detroit for two future second-round picks. Joe, a 3-point specialist who averaged 11.1 PPG this season, is a limited defender whose playoff role had diminished; Detroit adds shooting to pair with Cade Cunningham. Joe carries an $11.3M salary for 2026-27 with a 2027-28 team option. The Thunder also sent Aaron Wiggins to Atlanta for two future second-round picks to help trim payroll as they navigate cap considerations.
Detroit trades Isaiah Stewart to Memphis for three future second-round picks and salary-cap relief; Stewart averaged 10.0 points on 55% shooting with 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game in 2025-26 for a 60-win Pistons that reached the second round, and he had signed a four-year, $64 million extension prior to 2023-24.
The Pistons moved up to No. 17 to draft Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie, a lightning-fast guard who could energize Detroit's offense; the Bulls added Dailyn Swain at No. 15, while the Bucks selected Brayden Burries at No. 10 and Nate Ament at No. 13 to shore up a versatile two-way core; veteran Thanasis Antetokounmpo, an unrestricted free agent, is set to pursue a reunion with his brother in Miami.
Detroit holds the No. 21 pick in a deep 2026 draft and could add an immediate contributor, with Baylor’s Cameron Carr pegged at 21 in this mock; the piece also projects top prospects such as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, Caleb Wilson, and Kingston Flemings, and even includes a bonus trade scenario that could move the Pistons up for Morez Johnson.
Detroit was blown out 125-94 in Game 7 as the Pistons’ entire performance mirrored James Harden’s playoff struggles, culminating in a one-sided collapse that left little to analyze beyond a night of pervasive mistakes.
Detroit’s season concludes with a 125-94 Game 7 loss to Cleveland, exposing offensive gaps despite a 60-win regular season. Cade Cunningham carried a heavy playoff load while Jalen Duren underperformed and enters restricted free agency; Ausar Thompson is set for extension talks as Detroit confirms its plan to keep coach J.B. Bickerstaff and rebuild around Cunningham, Duren and Thompson in a pivotal offseason and draft.
Cleveland defeated Detroit 125-94 in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, where they’ll face the New York Knicks. Donovan Mitchell led with 26 points, while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill added 23 each; Cade Cunningham scored 13 for Detroit as the Cavs controlled the game and dominated the paint, earning their first conference finals appearance since 2018.
Donovan Mitchell delivers a mature, all-around Game 7 performance to lift the Cavaliers past the Pistons and clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Mobley and Allen providing heavy support and contributors like Dean Wade, Sam Merrill and Max Strus chipping in as Cleveland seals the series.
Donovan Mitchell spearheads Cleveland with 26 points and 8 assists (zero turnovers), Jarrett Allen dominates the paint with 23 points and 7 rebounds, and Sam Merrill adds 23 points with five 3-pointers as the Cavaliers blow out Detroit by 31 in Game 7 to reach the East Finals, while the Pistons’ season ends and their young core gains playoff experience.