UNSTOPPABLE: Detroit Pistons BREAK 60 Wins This Year? | Should They Trade For Michael Porter Jr?
Detroit Pistons surge to the top of the Eastern Conference, sparking debate over their 60-win potential. Can Detroit’s revamped roster hold off rising contenders like the Knicks and Celtics in a wide-open East? Ku Khahil explores whether the Pistons’ current momentum and strong injury luck are enough to maintain their dominance and secure a top playoff seed.
Trade talk heats up as fans wonder if Michael Porter Jr. is the missing piece at power forward, or if a blockbuster move for Trey Murphy makes sense. Ku Khahil assesses possible trade packages, the fit of high-volume three-point shooters with Cade Cunningham, and the front office’s approach ahead of the trade deadline. Plus, insight on Caris LeVert’s rotation role, Duncan Robinson’s surprising impact, and why a patient strategy might define Detroit’s path. Is this Pistons team built for a deep postseason run, or is another move needed?
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31 Comments
I am glad Trajan is not like fans. He's willing to wait and develop the young talent Detroit has. Make moves around the fringes like the insiders have made clear that Trajan wants to do.
In escape rooms you usually have to solve puzzles or riddles. I'd go with Duncan, Caris and Wendall Moore Jr. because they went to Michigan and Duke. Yes, I would be elitist like that! No trades for me, but what do you think the Pistons will do to get Daniss into a full roster spot (out of the 2 way)?
55 wins would be 34-22 the rest of the way, I think they’re going to surpass that easily
I’m all in for a trade for, Michael Porter Jr. He’s the perfect potential Robin to Cade’s, Batman..Soon Shall See..🤔🧐
No one's trading Ausar for about to retire LeBron
The bias for Ausar is crazy by Ku even though on multiple occassions this year Ausar has been a liability down the stretch of games. I love what when says I'm trying not to be a fan but when it comes to Ausar nope. Against the Celtics down the stretch Ausar was clear liability on the offensive end. Cade would get double throw it to Ausar and he looks to get the ball out of his hands as quickly as possible. Drives to the base line jumps up in the air to throw a pass or gets the ball at the top of the key quickly passes it or tries (mostly hesitates) to his fadeaway that is susceptible to being blocked. Down the stretch of games he looks like he has no idea what to do. Plus he's not making FTs at a good percentage. Ignore all that though because he's an all world defender. Is playing 4 on 5 down on offense plus missing FTs sustainable in the playoffs? I like Ausar his defense if amazing but he is as equally inconsistent on the offense. The glossing over it my problem. Ku didn't even consider the question that's shows he has zero objectivity when it comes to Ausar. Let that be Ivey for 1 or 2 plays on defense Ku will let you know quick how inconsistent he is on defense. Ausar has one elite skill; defense. Contrary to belief he is not Ben Wallace yet , time will tell. He's not even close to Draymond yet. But consider Ben Wallace was not only elite at guarding but was an elite rebounder, shot blocker, and for his position he stole the ball at a high clip. Teams planned around Ben Wallace. This is not the case for Ausar yet. Yes his defense is great but their are at least 5 other great defenders who are better one of them being his brother. Ben Wallace in his prime was in a class of his own. You can't just ignore the flaws in Ausar's game because you believe in his potential. There is an argument for Ausar needs to be benched down the stretch of games. Now that being said it's hard because Duncan is so bad on defense you need Ausar to make up for that. So that's a thing. $35M+ for a guy who down the stretch can't shoot, inconsistent at creating his shot, teams routinely lay off of and oh doesn't make his FTs seems crazy to me. When is Ausar going to held accountable for not improving on his weaknesses and regressions in other places. Instead of saying I don't care because his advanced stats says he's valuable on the floor. Instead of looking at the actual game and seeing the issues it causes.
Trades are inevitably going to happen that’s how it is in the nba idk why the comments are freaking out
MPJ can also be a guide for Klintman who seems to have struggle to find his role. But can they trade for him without getting Tobias gone?
60 win teams typically have a double digit net rating
Ours is currently at 6.3 (and lower once you adjust for strength of schedule)
If we won 60 games it would be entirely unprecedented (unless we get quite a bit better)
Shit the only talk I see about the pistons is that they aren’t the best team in the east. These nba podcasters and some in national media are some damn haters.
As athletic as Ausar is, how is he such an underwhelming play finisher? That combining with the fact he can’t shoot freethrows seems to mean that he’s a negative offensive player at this stage. As much as that might pain piston fans
No trades, please. My expectations would be easy 1st round win, difficult 2nd round, and hopefully a trip to the ECFs. If that was Pistons/Knicks I would expect a Knicks win and I'm doing a preemptive strike to say the refs will play a part in them making the Finals.
I don't always agree with you Ku but you are dead on the money about MPJ. Dude is a hand in glove fit here (age, contract, playstyle, everything) and would truly take us to the next level. I dont get why people get so butthurt about suggesting trades… Im fine standing pat but also totally fine making a move that makes sense… My only personal condition with trades is not giving up any of our core six (Cade, Ivey, Ausar, Stew, Duren, Ron). We have all of our future picks and that should be the core of the trade.
Harris, Levert, 3 unprotected FRPs for MPJ makes a ton of sense for both teams. Levert has been great for us (I hated the signing but have no problem admitting I was wrong) but trading him would clear up the minutes logjam too. Ivey, Duncan, Ron, Jenkins, Lanier can all take up any minutes Levert is getting right now. I would love to see this move but not sure Langdon will do anything this year. We will see.
Edit: Just another side note. I think we SHOULD be willing to give 3 FRPs despite some of these reports. We are loaded with young talent and depth which puts us in a unique situation compared to other teams. We can afford that. Also, including Ivey in a deal with the Nets is silly. I know you dont like Ivey and all but it makes no sense trade wise aside from that. Nets have Cam Thomas who is similar to Ivey and both are up for contracts. I dont see why they would want Ivey when they are wanting to trade Thomas. Give them the picks and lets roll.
Yall still be trying to trade Ivey… not even giving him a chance
Brah, we're top of the East. Who the f you gonna trade, seriously
For trey Murphy lavert and Holland, 3 seconds, 2026 first. Give rons minutes to green and we wont even miss his defense.
Win the next game & then the one after that etc! This reninds me so much of the last few years lions hype! Then soon as the team hit some turbulence fans start dropping off like fall 🍃 leafs smh!
Buyers Beware Trey Murphy has availability issues.
If Thinking about trade. The glaring hole ⛳ is a aging Tobias non-confident 3pt. Pick-up phone ask about 3 and D Keegan Murray.
Isaiah Stewart should be developed to be a stretch 4. He’s not Shooting the three at almost 35% right now and if it were developed, he could get even better. MPJ does not affect winning and he is a ball hog. He’s never seen a shot he doesn’t like. No question he’s a great player, but I don’t think he solves our problem.
I’ll move Ausar instead of Ron and Ivey honestly! If Ron don’t fit with AT and JD being that Ron is more of a force Ausar gotta go 🤷🏽♂️in a year RON will be better than AT defensively and offensively
IMO, Ausar, it's not untradable. If there's a player out there similar to Dyson Daniels , that we can trade for…I'd move Ausar, and yes, I really do like Ausar… But, I'm also more than happy with sitting this trade deadline out. Maybe a minor tweak , and let's ride this season out….
6:38 The group of Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren, and Ku Khahil doing an escape room together is must see content in my books now.
Escape rooms are about puzzle solving, Cade seems like the natural pick but JD and Stew is definitely interesting XD
The East isn't wide open or down this season haters are just saying that because the Pistons are at the top of it and they want to undermine us
#DETROITvsEVERYBODY
Ku Thompson!
Ku, I’m with you on all three segments today. 60 wins is crazy good, I think I’ll have to revise my predicted 46 wins up a bit but only 6 or so games. But we can always hope to be wrong and get 60!
I would also pull the trigger on JI, Tobias, and a first for MPJ and hope he stays on the court. I may even do 2 firsts. But I wouldn’t give up as much as was stated for the second trade.
Tobias levert 26 first 2028 first and 2032pick swap for mpj than trade ivey duncan 2030 first three seconds 2031 pick swap for trey murphy use trade exception and 3second for klay thompson
Rather keep ivey and holland
Id trade Ausar straight up for MPJ but doubt nets accept
I would love to have a player like Cam Spencer from Memphis.