Around The Beat: Omari Sankofa On The Detroit Pistons, Cade MVP, Trade Rumors, Jaden Ivey & More
Cyro Asseo and Sam Yip are back with a new episode of Around the Beat, tapping in with the pulse of the Detroit Pistons—and this week’s guest is Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press Pistons beat writer and co-host of The Pistons Pulse podcast.
Omari breaks down Detroit’s dominant season, why their defense has become their calling card, and what still needs to improve (hint: spacing and 3-point volume). The trio also dives into Cade Cunningham’s MVP case, the team’s physical identity led by Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland, the Jaden Ivey restricted free agency situation, and how Detroit should approach the trade deadline without disrupting a core that’s ahead of schedule.
Follow Omari’s work and coverage:
Detroit Free Press profile: https://www.freep.com/staff/2954035001/omari-sankofa-ii/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/omarisankofa
The Pistons Pulse (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pistons-pulse/id1610177375
Catch the full episode and stay locked in for more HoopsHype Around the Beat coverage.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + welcoming Omari Sankofa II
00:21 Detroit weather check (polar vortex)
00:57 Omari is born-and-raised Detroit + winter acclimation
01:19 Pistons dominance + net rating context
01:41 Why Detroit is elite: defense + roster depth
02:48 Biggest improvement area: 3-point shooting/volume
03:27 How defense fuels transition offense (blocks/steals)
04:20 Identity catalysts: who sets the tone?
05:09 Isaiah Stewart as the defensive backbone
05:48 Ron Holland’s “shot out of a cannon” energy
06:40 Stewart’s reputation vs. who he is off-court
07:31 Cade Cunningham MVP conversation
08:14 What separates Cade: playmaking + two-way impact
09:55 Narrative, clutch factor, and top-3 MVP case
11:33 Why Cade isn’t appreciated enough nationally
12:38 Trade deadline outlook: no “big swing” expected
14:16 Margin moves: shooting/ball-handling additions
16:03 Jaden Ivey situation + RFA strategy (play it out vs. move now)
20:12 Guard logjam + long-term roster-building approach
20:38 The next step: secondary scorer/perimeter threat
22:36 Untouchables on the roster
23:53 Extension outlook: Duren + Ausar Thompson contracts
26:08 Jalen Duren’s leap (skill growth + midrange/handle)
29:16 Ausar Thompson offense + impact of blood clot + development
32:12 Culture shift: Monty Williams era vs. JB Bickerstaff
33:48 Tobias Harris as the veteran stabilizer + trade chip question
37:07 Craziest moments covering Detroit (28-game skid)
39:20 Coaching/philosophy swings: Casey → Monty → JB
43:49 Pistons trajectory: from 14 wins to 60-win pace
44:31 Darkhorse contender debate
45:27 Where to find Omari + Pistons Pulse info
46:08 All-Star Weekend plans (Omari in LA)
#omarisankofaii #detroitpistons #aroundthebeat #hoopshype #nba #nbapodcast #cadcunningham #pistonsnews #nba2026 #nbaeasternconference
