The Palace of Pistons Podcast returns as Mike Anguilano and Jasper Apollonia break down Detroit’s resilient Game 5 victory after a tough Game 4 loss, keeping their season alive and forcing a Game 6. The guys dive into the electric duel between Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, what adjustments fueled the Pistons’ bounce-back performance, and how Detroit regained control of the series momentum. Then, they preview a pivotal Game 6—highlighting key matchups, X-factors, and what it will take for the Pistons to push this series to a winner-take-all Game 7.

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Even the most pessimistic Detroit diehards, who have been without a playoff series victory from their local squad since 2008, wouldn’t have predicted these Pistons to have their backs against the wall. It’s hard to say much of anything negative about a 60-win team, especially considering this franchise’s recent history. But it’s become overwhelmingly obvious that Detroit’s weaknesses - which understandably faded out of focus amidst a spectacular regular season - have reared their heads again once the playoffs kicked off.

How We Got Here

A matchup filled to the brim with giveaways, highlighted by a series of seven turnovers in the first four minutes of Game 4, has been a thorn in the team’s side. Looking at the box scores, Cade Cunningham has been the main culprit of these turnovers. This is a team-wide issue, though. Averaging a ghastly 18.3 turnovers per game in the playoffs, Detroit trails only the Lakers (20.0) among qualified teams.

Even more concerning than the lackadaisical ball movement, though, has been the Pistons’ stagnant and predictable offense. Detroit has never been a great offensive team this year, but the roster’s ability to convert mistakes into easy scores and open looks has helped mask its deficiencies. When the Pistons engage in half-court sets, they often have the same goal: run Cade and Jalen Duren in the pick-and-roll. This simple, but effective strategy was the backbone of Detroit’s offense throughout the season.

It didn’t take long for the Magic to clamp down on that plan, though. As a result, Duren has been left without much of a purpose in the offense outside of point-blank layups and putbacks. The Pistons’ second-leading scorer has been nearly unplayable.

Game 5 (and Beyond)

Now, the fresh off back-to-back heartbreakers in Orlando, the Pistons return home for one last chance to salvage their status as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. Even a seven-game series win would likely be claimed “fraudulent” by national pundits, but over time, only the winner is remembered.

Orlando’s suffocating defense has overshadowed an inefficient offense. The Magic are shooting just 38.7 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from deep, signaling that the Pistons’ defense - namely Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson - is doing its job. With Franz Wagner’s status for Game 5 in question due to a calf strain, there is a glimmer of hope for a team that probably hasn’t deserved it.

Detroit can take advantage of the former Michigan star’s absence by throwing Thompson exclusively on Desmond Bane, who has proven to be Orlando’s only reliable perimeter threat over the last two contests. Other adjustments will be needed, too, such as handing more of Duren’s minutes to Stewart and even Paul Reed. But this is far from an insurmountable deficit for a team that knows well how it feels to end the season early.

When Playoff Basketball Hands You Lemons…

Even if Detroit fails to win three straight, though, there are still silver linings from this first-round bout, some more positive than others. One clear takeaway is that Trajan Langdon’s decision to forego trading for an established secondary ball-handler/shot creator has allowed Cunningham’s offensive responsibilities to soar too high. Cade is built to be a high-usage scorer/playmaker hybrid, but the lack of another talent to take the pressure off has only kept him from playing at his best. This will (and should be) Detroit’s top priority of the offseason, regardless of playoff outcome.

The more interesting summer decision will be with Duren, who finished second in Most Improved Player voting in 2025-26 but has crated in the playoffs, likely costing himself tens of millions of dollars in the process. Once a candidate for a rookie-scale max contract, there will be much more to discuss during Duren’s contract negotiations after his recent playoff showings.

Without a suitable replacement readily available, though, it would be surprising to see the Pistons move off of the 22-year-old completely. Instead, Detroit should try to buy lower on a high-level talent who hasn’t figured out postseason basketball yet. If the team can manage this, the Pistons will have somehow salvaged a huge victory from an undeniably disappointing playoff series.

Duren has always been expected to be part of the Pistons’ core moving forward, and while it’s difficult to say with complete certainty, he’s the type of player a team doesn’t show the door after one poor series. Instead, the Langdon and co. must decide who worked and who didn’t alongside the trio of Cunningham, Thompson, and Duren, and make upgrades accordingly.

A slightly less lucrative extension for Duren could allow Detroit to make more meaningful additions around the margins. If the right reinforcements are brought in for next season and beyond, a first-round loss will only be remembered as an (embarrassing) blip in the Pistons’ upward trajectory.

Good morning Pistons fans, and, well, anyone else that is reading this searching for answers as to why the top seed in the Eastern Conference is on the edge of elimination. There are many, so let’s get into it.

The Orlando Magic, once on the precipice of despair themselves before blowing out the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament, are leading the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 3-1 following a 94-88 victory. The series shifts to Michigan now in a do-or-die situation, but the Pistons no longer have home court advantage nor the momentum. Both reside comfortably with the Magic.

Turnover City

There are many reasons why the Pistons trail this series, but a big one is turnovers. Detroit had 16 of them in Game 3, which led to 24 Orlando points. They had 20 turnovers in Game 4, which again resulted in 23 Magic points. Cade Cunningham has 17 of those 36 turnovers, with nine of them in Game 4.

Many of these giveaways have been exceptionally juvenile. The first possession of the game was an entry pass to Jalen Duren that got swiped away very easily, a sign of things to come. Passes going out of bounds, through people’s hands, or in-opportune offensive fouls all resulted in turnovers for the Pistons and stopped any momentum they were able to gather.

Cade has had these issues before, but that is a byproduct of two things: being a high-usage player, and not having a true second high-leverage guy next to him. Aside from Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson, who have played valiantly, the rest of the team have not pulled their own weight. The margin for error is minuscule, and opposing teams know that. The result? Turnovers.

(Sigh) Jalen Duren

I don’t want to belabor the point about Duren, who continues to be a liability in an alarming way. He was…slightly better in Game 4, to the tune of 12 points and eight rebounds, but also four more turnovers (and a very critical one late in the fourth quarter). There were glimpses of the regular season version of Duren with a few put backs and a mid-range jumper in the first quarter, but nothing that stuck.

Duren attempted eight shots, the same as Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson. That is still below what he was averaging in the regular season, and the Pistons desperately need a double-double from their All-Star big.

On a side note, how much money is Duren costing himself? The two sides were unable to come to an agreement on an extension this past offseason, and this playoff performance cannot be helping his case.

Where is the Urgency?

The most damning aspect of all of this is Detroit’s seeming lack of urgency or care given the situation they were in. While trailing in the third and fourth quarter, the Pistons were methodically getting into their sets late, giving the ball away with silly turnovers, and running out lineups that had no chance of generating any offense. The Pistons lost the Cade minutes, something that cannot happen, and were getting beaten down worse with him off.

Both Harris and Bickerstaff talked about the team’s lack of urgency in their post-game press conferences. But talk is cheap. This is the same issue Bickerstaff’s Cleveland Cavaliers teams had in their playoff failures. Talking about toughness, “getting back to what we do”, and lacking energy or urgency when the going gets tough became staples of those teams in the postseason.

Well, the going is tough.

Teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit before, but its far and few between. The Pistons don’t look like a team prepared or capable of doing that.

There is little point in rehashing what Trajan Langdon and the front office could have done at the deadline to plug the obvious holes in this roster, because what’s done is done. Let's see what this Detroit team has with their backs against the wall and the crowd behind them.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to another playoff edition of the Weekly Drive. We have much to discuss, so pop an antacid and let’s get into it.

Remember just a few days ago when I said the Pistons had only a little bit to be concerned about? The team responded by thrashing the Orlando Magic in Game 2, tying the series up at one game a piece. I thought that would grease the wheels, so to speak, for a continued beat down of an inferior Magic squad.

Then Saturday afternoon happened.

The Pistons couldn’t get out of their own way in Game 3, losing to Orlando 113-105. The loss hurts a little extra given they mounted a huge comeback in the fourth quarter, briefly took the lead, and then never scored again. It was an incredibly deflating game from beginning to end, and one that has rightfully caused some panic in Detroit. None larger than the sudden collapse of their All-Star center.

Where is Jalen Duren?

There was concern after Game 1 about Duren, but it was somewhat brushed over as an anomaly. The Game 2 win masked what was another bad showing. But Game 3 was rock bottom, and it was pretty bad. So much so that J.B. Bickerstaff benched him for nine minutes in the third quarter (and a few more into the fourth) because he was actively hurting the team.

Let that sink in for a moment: Detroit’s All-Star center, and second-best player this past season, was unplayable yesterday.

Duren has almost as many turnovers (8) as shots made (10) in this series. He is shooting well under 50% from the floor, and hasn’t scooped up double digit rebounds in a game yet. Orlando is crowding the paint and taking away the two-man game with Cade Cunningham, which has really hurt Detroit’s offense. Nothing seems easy for anyone, but especially Duren. It is a mix of lost confidence and a tough matchup against an opponent that doesn’t back down to physicality.

There is really no way around it: the Pistons need Duren to be better, and quickly. He has to return to form for Game 4, or this series is going to head back to Detroit for a perilous Game 5.

Rotation Fluctuation

Bickerstaff is in a tough spot. With Duren fighting off the demons, the NBA’s Coach of the Year finalist has had to find offense from somewhere else - and that has been difficult to come by. Daniss Jenkins and Caris LeVert have not provided much. Kevin Huerter and Duncan Robinson are more three-point decoy than threat. Javonte Green led the bench in minutes yesterday, and was not very effective. Isaiah Stewart has not been as impactful, and Ron Holland is out of the rotation.

That leaves Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson as the two best running mates for Cunningham. Thompson played his best game of the series in Game 3, and Harris was integral to making the comeback late in the fourth quarter. Without those two, the Pistons would have lost by much more.

Somebody else has to step up off the bench, and Bickerstaff’s options are running dry. They need LeVert or Jenkins to start hitting some shots, or Stewart to start bullying his way to some hustle points and rebounds. Green was unplayable for the Cleveland in last year’s playoffs, and to have him lead the bench in minutes is a huge indictment on Detroit’s depth.

As it stands, Bickerstaff hasn’t pulled the right levers either. He started the fourth quarter with a lineup of Jenkins, Robinson, Thompson, Green, and Stewart. That particular group played eight (8) minutes in the regular season and had a +/- of -78.6. Needless to say it did not work yesterday either.

Identity Crisis

The long and short of it is Detroit doesn’t look like the top seed in the conference. In fact, they are lacking in nearly all of the key areas that made them the best in East during the regular season.

They are losing the rebounding battle almost routinely. Cunningham had nine turnovers, the last one a microcosm of the game itself where he tripped and lost the ball with under a minute left (which led to a Franz Wagner three). The team defense, which was among the league leaders, looks like it comes in spurts as opposed to a consistent wave. The offense is automatically stuck in the mud if the two-man game of Cunningham and Duren is stymied, which it has been.

The playoffs have a way of forcing teams out of their comfort zone, and Detroit is seeing that first hand. There doesn’t seem to be a “Plan B” when “Plan A isn’t working, and the Magic are exposing that. The Pistons do need to be better in general, but they also have to adapt to what Orlando is showing. Game 4 will be very telling where things stand with this team, one with such promise and vigor, and if they want to roll over or punch back.

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down the first two games of the Detroit Pistons’ first-round playoff battle with the Orlando Magic, with the series tied 1-1 after Orlando’s Game 1 win and Detroit’s bounce-back in Game 2. The guys dive into the Pistons’ sluggish start to the series and whether it’s a real concern or just early playoff rust. They analyze Cade Cunningham’s dominant impact, evaluate J. B. Bickerstaff’s rotations, and take a closer look at the key frontcourt matchup between Wendell Carter Jr. and Jalen Duren. Plus, they discuss what adjustments Detroit needs to make to take control of the series and ultimately eliminate Orlando from the playoffs.

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Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. It’s been a hot minute since the last article, but I thought it made sense to check back in amidst a stressful moment in the season.

Detroit was shocked at home in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic, a team that had incredibly poor vibes for the last two weeks as they slumped into the Play-In Tournament. The Pistons never led at any point in the game, getting as close as 65-65 in the third quarter. It was a disappointing loss, and it highlighted the reasons the national media raised an eyebrow at Detroit making a deep playoff run.

Let’s be clear, this is a flawed basketball team. The lack of secondary playmakers and scoring options was on full display, as Cade Cunningham led the team with 39 points while everyone else put up 62 combined. But its the other issues popping up that are even more discouraging, as they were mostly not seen throughout the regular season.

What Happened to Jalen Duren?

The second-best player on the Pistons needs more shot attempts, plain and simple. Cunningham will take the most, and he should, but Duren took just four of them. That is less than Ausar Thompson and Daniss Jenkins, and eight fewer than his average per game post All-Star Break. Incorporating Duren into the bully ball offense is an essential component to how the Pistons pulverized opponents in the regular season. Detroit cannot abandon what has made them, and Duren, so good this season.

Wendell Carter Jr. outplayed Duren to the tune of 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The Magic were a +20 when he was on the floor, and that backs up the eye test. The Pistons were a -21 in Duren’s minutes, which also aligns with what we saw in Game 1. That level of disparity is not sustainable if the Pistons want escape the first round for the first time since the Bush Administration.

More paint touches for Duren is the minimum at this point, and ideally that gets him going on both ends of the floor. Orlando attacked the paint and generated about half of their points from that area in Game 1. The Magic are not a very good offensive team in general, but they are happy to attack the paint and generate free throw attempts.

The Pistons need more out Duren, bottom line.

Relying on Daniss Jenkins

No doubt that the emergence of Jenkins as the team’s backup point guard has been a godsend for the Pistons. Coming into the season it seemed like they were going to use LeVert, Marcus Sasser, and Jaden Ivey as its potential backup ball handlers. We had our worries about that in our season preview edition of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, but Jenkins is a good development for the long term. It’s the short term that is troubling.

Jenkins played pretty poorly in Game 1, going 1-7 from the floor and he was a team-worst -11 in his 22 minutes. He looked outmatched, in part because Orlando’s backcourt defense was very active all night. Nevertheless, the Pistons will need a better game from Jenkins in Game 2. It is fair to wonder if the moment is too big for him at this juncture of his career and if the coaching staff has a shorter leash. But this gets to one of those scary realties of this Pistons team.

Relying on Jenkins to this degree is a risky gamble. He is a good story, and by all means a good player, but the playoffs are a different animal. The alternatives are not too enticing, but they may opt to give the veteran LeVert a few extra minutes if Jenkins starts off poorly again. J.B. Bickerstaff has also toyed with LeVert as a point guard from their time in Cleveland, and there is already an established level of trust. There is risk there too, a pick-your-poison type of decision, and certainly something worth monitoring in Game 2 and beyond.

Tighten the Rotations

Speaking of Bickerstaff, he played an 11-man rotation in Game 1, a puzzling decision to say the least. Typically, playoff rotations shorten to eight or nine players to keep the best guys out there as much as possible. There is nothing to say that Bickerstaff won’t make that adjustment for Game 2, but as someone who also covered the Cleveland Cavaliers, I have seen this story play out.

LeVert and Javonte Green had four minutes of court time each, and were largely doing cardio out there. Ron Holland had 10 ineffective minutes. There needs to be a little tightening of the rotations, with a few more minutes going to Huerter and Stewart. Those guys have tangible value both with and without the ball in their hands, and their size and physicality will be necessary against an Orlando team that is up for a fight.

Stewart’s 18 minutes in Game 1 is exactly four below is season average. Taking Green’s minutes and giving them to the energetic Stewart makes plenty of sense. Holland may also see his court time reduced after his Game 1 showing, and giving them to Huerter provides the offense a little more room to breathe. You lose Holland’s defensive energy and athleticism, but it may be worth the risk to space the offense out. Neither team shot the ball well from deep in Game 1, but every advantage counts.

Bickerstaff’s rotations are not all to blame for the loss, but I think it does need a tweak to get the best players more touches and court time. This isn’t the regular season, the playoffs are all about adjustments and matchups. It is time to adjust.

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down the major news surrounding Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić successfully meeting the NBA’s Extraordinary Circumstances criteria for the 65-game rule—making both stars eligible for end-of-season honors like MVP and All-NBA.

The guys also dive into the early returns for NBA Coach of the Year voting, analyzing where J. B. Bickerstaff currently stands and whether he’s getting the recognition he deserves.

To close the show, Aaron and Jasper preview Detroit’s potential first-round playoff matchup, breaking down what a series against either the Orlando Magic or Charlotte Hornets could look like depending on the final play-in result—and whether either opponent presents a tough matchup for the Pistons.

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Mike Anguilano and Jasper Apollonia break down one of the NBA’s most heated award debates: should J.B. Bickerstaff or Joe Mazzulla take home Coach of the Year honors? The guys compare the jobs both coaches have done this season, what each has meant to their team’s success, and why Bickerstaff has built such a strong case in Detroit.

They also dive into Cade Cunningham’s return from injury, discussing how he looked in his first game back, what stood out about his performance, and how his presence changes the outlook for the Pistons as the playoffs approach next week. Plus, the guys talk about Detroit’s postseason momentum, what Cade’s health means for the team’s ceiling, and why the Pistons could be a dangerous matchup heading into the final stretch.

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On this episode of the Palace of Pistons podcast, Mike Anguilano and Aaron Johnson break down Detroit’s recent stretch of play, including a tough overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and an important bounce-back win over the Toronto Raptors. The guys dive into the resurgence of Daniss Jenkins, why Kevun Huerter could be a key piece as the playoffs approach, and whether J.B. Bickerstaff has done enough to earn serious consideration for NBA Coach of the Year. With Detroit sitting atop the East and the postseason around the corner, the conversation centers on what this team still needs to prove before the playoffs begin.

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On this episode of the Palace of Pistons podcast, hosts Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down the latest on Cade Cunningham’s injury and how it impacts his case for end-of-season NBA awards. The guys dive into how the Detroit Pistons have stayed competitive without their franchise guard, with key contributions from Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, Kevin Huerter, and a surging Daniss Jenkins.

They also spotlight the revival of Jenkins and what’s fueling his emergence, while debating what Detroit should do with Caris LeVert as the team looks to solidify its rotation. To wrap things up, the conversation shifts to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and where he stands in the Coach of the Year race as the Pistons continue to exceed expectations down the stretch.

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They also react to the disappointing loss to the Toronto Raptors and explore the bigger picture behind Detroit’s recent struggles — is this just a rough patch, or something more concerning? With the regular season winding down, the crew debates whether it’s time to worry about how the Pistons are closing things out.

Plus, a deep dive into the rotation: has Caris LeVert done enough to justify his minutes, or is it time for a change? All that and more on this episode of Palace of Pistons.

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On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, hosts Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down the Detroit Pistons’ recent four-game losing streak and the much-needed rebound win over the Brooklyn Nets. After a tough stretch of games, the guys discuss what went wrong during the skid, what the victory over Brooklyn could mean moving forward, and whether Detroit can stabilize its play with the playoffs quickly approaching.

Aaron and Jasper also dive into the latest on Ausar Thompson’s injury and the decision to move Marcus Sasser into the starting lineup. What does Sasser bring to the lineup in Thompson’s absence, and how could this change impact Detroit’s rotation down the stretch?

Plus, the guys discuss how concerned they are about the Pistons’ recent slide, examine the upcoming schedule, and debate whether Detroit can bounce back in time to maintain their grip on first place in the Eastern Conference. With the postseason around the corner, the pressure is rising — can the Pistons find their rhythm again when it matters most?

Tune in for all that and more on the latest episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast.

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On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down Cade Cunningham’s rise into the top-three of the NBA MVP race alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. Is Cade legitimately in the mix to win the award, and what would it take for him to close the gap?

The guys also dive into Detroit’s strong 3–1 stretch coming out of the All-Star break, including the loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Did the Spurs expose something about the Pistons, or was it just one bad matchup? And most importantly — did that game change how they view Detroit’s NBA Finals ceiling?

All that and more on this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast.

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On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Mike Anguilano and Jasper Apollonia break down Cade Cunningham’s rising case to be named league MVP and what his leap means for the Detroit Pistons. The guys also dive into what they’re watching for as Detroit heads into the post–All-Star stretch, from consistency and rotations to the team’s push in the standings.

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Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. The Pistons are guaranteed to make the Play-In Tournament, and all but certain to be a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. Yes, Detroit will have at least one (and more than likely several, if not all) series with home court advantage.

Time for some playoff planning. Lets get into it.

The Closest Competition

While the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture is in constant flux, the top is less so. The Pistons are the top seed and, barring a catastrophic injury, are more than likely will keep it. Detroit has enough of a lead on New York, Cleveland, and Boston to maintain the top spot.

I would be surprised if a team caught Detroit and overtook them for the number one seed. Even with suspensions for Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, coupled with some rest for Cade Cunningham here and there, the Pistons have shown they are good enough to win games even while missing key players. There is no reason to believe that will suddenly stop being the case, especially with more teams tanki…err…strategically not winning games.

Possible First-Round Matchups

Miami Heat

If the season ended today, Detroit would (probably) be playing Miami in the first round. The Heat have the reputation of being an annoying team to play against with several playoff-tested players and arguably the best coach in the league in Erik Spoelstra. Tyler Herro has been a certified Piston-killer, but he has spent most of the season injured. The two squads have split the season series (both three-point wins for each team) and have one more game on March 8th.

The Heat have the fifth-best defense in the NBA right now and live in the paint on offense behind a two-big lineup with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. But their best lineups are actually a one-big lineup with either Andrew Wiggins or Simone Fontecchio (remember him?) at power forward and Adebayo at center. Not exactly scary, even when running things optimally.

Miami are on pace to play against the top seed for the second-straight year, and were crushed last season despite having the same “always tough” moniker. The Pistons are deeper and have the best player in the series by a considerable margin.

What to Watch for: Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart against Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware

Charlotte Hornets

Given the recent fight that resulted in four players being suspended, there is clearly some bad blood between these two teams. That being said, I am all-in on this as being the most fun potential first-round series in the league.

The Hornets have the reputation of being a bad team, and their record is not tremendous, but they are a very fun group. LaMelo Ball may be empty-stats at times, but his playmaking and crafty ball-handling could swing a game. Brandon Miller, another certified Piston-killer, is growing more and more confident. Kon Kneuppel is on pace to smash rookie three-point shooting records. I could see a feisty, all-or-nothing Hornets team make the Pistons sweat a bit. But not enough to win the series.

What to Watch for: Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart against Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges

Atlanta Hawks

The darling of the NBA offseason for the acquisitions of Nikeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis has endured a tough season, and proceeded to get more and more weird after trading Trae Young for C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert. Jalen Johnson is perhaps the most underrated star in the league, a triple-double machine who operates as the team’s offensive hub. But there are some real concerns with their offense without a true table-setting point guard like Young, but the Hawks have been a much better defensive team with him not on the floor. Give and take deal there.

Detroit should win a series against the Hawks, and fairly easily at that. But there is enough defensive firepower and Jalen Johnson star potential for Atlanta to win a game.

What to Watch for: Cade Cunningham against Dyson Daniels

Orlando Magic

The other trendy playoff pick this past summer is also enduring a tough season. That doesn’t mean the Magic are going to be a pushover come playoff time, but their offense is the bottom-third of the league and their three-point shooting is third-worst. In fact, look at any offensive metric and the Magic are more than likely near the bottom of the NBA in it.

Orlando’s acquisition of Desmond Bane (yet another Piston-killer) has not panned out, but I suppose that could change in the playoffs. Bane has been one of the best three-point shooters in the league (not this season, so far) and has enough size to man-up on defense. Anthony Black has turned a corner on both sides of the ball and has a case for Most Improved Player. Franz Wagner is still looking for a playoff cleansing after going 1-15 from the floor two years ago in a winner-take-all against Cleveland.

But the real reason Orlando hasn’t made the expected leap is because Paolo Banchero has not been good enough. He is an inefficient scorer and a bad free throw shooter despite getting to the rim a ton. The Magic have a ceiling high enough to make the Pistons sweat, but their floor is getting emphatically swept in four games.

What to Watch for: Cade Cunningham against Paulo Banchero

Who do you want the Pistons to face in the first round of the playoffs? I don’t think it really matters who they play, but there are some good matchups regardless. The Hornets would be the most fun, but the Magic can cause some problems if they find a way to get healthy and gel together. But, again, the Pistons should maul whoever they play to start the playoffs. Imagine saying that sentence two years ago.

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, hosts Mike Anguilano, Aaron Johnson, and Jasper Apollonia break down the Detroit Pistons’ moves at the NBA trade deadline and what they mean for the franchise moving forward.

The guys dive deep into the decision to trade Jaden Ivey, explaining why the move became necessary and debating whether Detroit received enough value in return. They also look around the league at notable deadline deals and discuss which newly available players they would have liked to see the Pistons pursue.

Plus, the crew evaluates Detroit’s standing in the NBA title picture after the deadline, and previews the most challenging stretch of the season, with the Pistons set to face several of the Western Conference’s top contenders over the next month.

All that and more on the latest episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast. Let us know your thoughts on Detroit’s deadline moves and playoff outlook.

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Hey there Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. It is NBA Trade Deadline week, and that means one thing:

Chaos.

Or, more likely, speculative chaos with a smattering of disappointment and chest-puffing. For the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons…to trade, or not to trade - that is the question. Yes, I did see Hamnet the other day. Why do you ask?

Anyway, lets talk about the Pistons and the trade deadline as well as some targets, potential packages, and the harsh reality that they more than likely aren’t selling the farm. At least not yet.

Michael Porter Jr.

Maybe the most-likely big swing is Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets, who is having himself an excellent season. The former Denver Nugget is averaging 25.2 points per game on 48.5% shooting, including 39.5% from beyond the three-point arc. But there is a caveat: the Nets are hot garbage and don’t have another scorer to take shots away from MPJ, so some of his stats may be slightly inflated. Somebody has to score on that team, and Porter is more than willing to shoot (almost 19 shot attempts per game, easily a career-high).

Porter fits well with a Pistons team that is certainly in need of a secondary scorer behind Cade Cunningham. In a playoff scenario, Detroit could very easily be exposed for not having a release valve if Cunningham gets double-teamed or offense becomes tough to come by. Porter solves that, and defenses cannot sag off of him.

The issues are somewhat significant though, as Tobias Harris may have to go back to Brooklyn in return. That is a tough locker room swap, as Harris is well-respected by the young guns and is a pseudo-coach. The Nets would want a sweetener too, perhaps a few picks and/or one of Jaden Ivey or Ron Holland. This quickly delves into “uh oh” territory for a player in MPJ that has never been this good until now. Nevertheless, this is the kind of swing that does not cripple the asset cupboard nor does it handicap Detroit’s financial health for several years to come.

Chances of happening: Medium

Trey Murphy

Be still my beating heart. Trey Murphy has popped up in trade rumor mills for a few years now, but this time things are getting a little more interesting. The New Orleans Pelicans are being run by two familiar friends (volatile edition) in Troy Weaver and Joe Dumars. Arguably, and objectively, the worst front office in the NBA. Ill say it, sue me.

Murphy fits like a glove on any team, but he is essentially young Klay Thompson with a lethal long-range shot and enough size and athleticism to drive to the rack and defend. His contract is also absurdly good value at $25 million per year for the next four seasons. Sign me up.

Not so fast. Even the Pelicans aren’t that stupid (well, I don’t think they are at least) to let go of their best player without a king’s ransom. No, not the Sacramento Kings who actually just have a random (assortment of players). New Orleans should, and presumably will, ask for the moon for Murphy. I’m talking Ausar Thompson/Holland, Ivey, multiple first round picks and pick swaps plus salary to make things work financially.

That is a tough pill to swallow for a front office that has remained steadfast in “not taking extra steps” in the process. So, given that, I don’t think they will. At least not right now.

Chances of happening: Low

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Nope.

Chances of happening: Nope, but in italics

[Insert Ball-Handler Here]

That was intentional, I didn’t just forget write my player in. There are myriad players that fit that description, so here are a few (but not all possible) names: Coby White (Chicago Bulls), Ayo Dosunmu (also the Bulls), Gabe Vincent (Los Angeles Lakers), and Jose Alvarado (Pelicans).

As my podcast co-host Jasper Apollonia mentioned on last week’s show, White makes a lot of sense as an expiring contract who immediately gives you some juice off the bench. The Pistons can absorb his contract into a trade exception, give the Bulls a pick that they won’t use correctly, and see what happens. White is averaging 18.8 points per game on 45% shooting. Sure!

Dosunmu’s stock is perhaps at an all-time high and is one of the best backup guards in the league right now. The 26-year-old is averaging a career-best 14.8 points per game and shooting 44.1% from deep, the latter being top-10 in the league. Chicago may want to extend Dosunmu, but if the Pistons feel his shooting leap is real, they have plenty of assets to get him. The New York Knicks have reportedly been interested in Dosunmu, but the asking price is, according to the New York Post, “a lot”.

Gabe Vincent is more of a cost-cutting option, as his expiring $11.5 million could open up even more cap space for the Pistons next summer. But he is also the weakest option I listed here, and by a wide margin.

Alvarado is the cheapest option salary-wise and has a player option for just $4.5 million next season too. He is a quality player who finished sixth in the Sixth-Man of the Year award voting just a few seasons ago, but also flawed. Alvarado is on several team’s radars, but it appears he wants to stay with New Orleans. We will see if the Pelicans feel the same.

Will Jaden Ivey Be Traded?

This question is more of theoretical importance than actual importance, as the writing appears on the wall for Jaden Ivey. The front office is not going to give him a significant extension, if they offer him one at all, and his value around the league is not particularly high. Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? No.

I said on the latest Palace of Pistons Podcast that I don’t think Ivey will be traded before the deadline. Its a little contrarian, but the Pistons can sign-and-trade Ivey this summer and give him a fresh start while also making a bigger deal than what they could piece together in the next few days. However, it is probably more likely than not that he is in fact dealt.

There is a universe in which Ivey is the perfect slash-and-dash companion to Cunningham, a speed demon who provides ample rim pressure and collapses defenses while taking over some playmaking duties. But that universe is not this one.

This all seems like a lot, but you know what? The days of boring trade deadlines where the Pistons have to sell their scarce assets and keep the rebuilding movement going are over. Stressful? Yes. ButiIt beats the hell out of “analyzing” cutting Joe Harris and Killian Hayes.

With the NBA trade deadline set for February 5th, the Palace of Pistons podcast delivers a full Pistons trade deadline preview. Mike Anguilano, Aaron Johnson, and Jasper Apollonia break down Detroit’s potential trade interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trey Murphy, Michael Porter Jr. (MPJ), Norman Powell, Coby White, and other potential trade targets. The guys debate whether the Detroit Pistons need to make a move at the trade deadline or if standing pat is the smarter long-term approach. They also take a close look at Jaden Ivey’s future with the Pistons and discuss whether they expect him to remain on the roster once the trade deadline passes.

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On this episode of the Palace of Pistons podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down a report linking the Detroit Pistons to New Orleans Pelicans wing Herbert Jones and discuss what that level of interest says about the organization’s direction. The guys also recap Detroit’s recent winning streak, highlighted by an impressive and telling victory over the Boston Celtics. To wrap things up, Aaron and Jasper hand out midseason report card grades for the entire Pistons organization — from the front office and coaching staff to the roster — evaluating what’s worked, what hasn’t, and where Detroit stands at the halfway point of the season.

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On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down Detroit’s upcoming schedule and what lies ahead as the roster gets healthy. The guys discuss the returns of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Tobias Harris, and debate whether a starting lineup change is necessary now that everyone is back in the fold. They also dive into Detroit’s projected win total of 55.5 games and give their picks on whether the Pistons will go over or under the line.

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