05-18-2026, 07:03 AM
(05-18-2026, 06:49 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: I would like to say this will become a learning experience, but I am not sure if that is the case. Cade is awesome. Frankly, I did not watch Detroit much in the playoffs to know why Duren struggled. I agree on Harris. It will be interesting to see if his money train stops. Good player and good teammate, but he consistently is overpaid and expectations for him are not real.
Outside of these, you have a lot of spares. Maybe that is harsh. They have two recent top 10 picks in Thompson and Holland. Thompson gets a lot of playing time and despite impacting games in several ways, he has trouble scoring more than 10 points a game. That is a problem. Holland could not even get on the court. That is not an ideal way for production of two top 10 picks. Thompson is obviously much further ahead than Holland. Add in the miss on Jaden Ivey and they may have not taken advantage very well for being bad for so long. Ivey off the court issues and injuries are the big reasons for his miss.
Plan #1 needs to find Cade a running mate. They need a Kyrie to their Luka. If they do, everyone else can drop down a level. That could help. Maybe not put them in real contender status but it will help. Cade needs time to rest on the floor. Right now, most things go thru him.
For such a promising season and fun story, they already look to be in a stage where they might be boxed in if they don't make some really smart moves.
Correct on all points. Trajan Langdon has to start earning his money. Those 3 straight years of having the No. 5 pick produced only 1 gem in Thompson, who is a menace on defense but very limited on offense. Ivey was a bust, and Holland didn't play much until garbage time.