“The Pacers clearly knew what it would take to keep Siakam when they acquired him from Toronto, but making it official means the franchise can continue its rise in the East.” Aldridge wrote. “A full season of Siakam-Tyrese Haliburton–Myles TurnerAt the pace Indiana is playing, with proven postseason talent now in abundance throughout the rotation, that should give the Pacers a leg up on many of their competitors for a top-four spot in the East.
Indiana also landed the former second overall draft pick James Wiseman in free agency. While he hasn’t lived up to expectations, he’s proven to be – at worst – useful at the center position.
“There’s no harm in betting on Wiseman; the 2020 second-round pick can bounce back and run the field,” Aldridge wrote. “He just has to do it all the time. Mathurin and the 2023 first-round pick Jarace Walker must find their way back to meaningful minutes after Rick Carlisle“The group got this far in the playoffs without them.”
- Beginner Johnny Furphy This could be a good deal for Indy, by Bleacher Report“None of us should object to the Pacers giving Furphy a chance to make an impact outside of the G-League,” the outlet said. wrote“He doesn’t just fit in well with the team. It’s like he was born to play for Indiana.”
Pistons
The Pistons made all sorts of changes this summer after losing 28 straight games last season, and who knows? Maybe the turnaround will be quick.
“After years of fruitless tanking, Tom Gores has cleaned house again by bringing in Trajan Langdon from New Orleans to run things,” Aldridge wrote. “Detroit has split its significant salary cap into chunks to improve the roster around Cade Cunningham And Ausar Thompson with strong veterans, hoping they can help them and the other young veterans on the team.
Some of the names mentioned — ahead Tobias Harriscenter Paul Reed and wings Malik Beasley And Tim Hardaway Jr. Oh, and Coach JB Bickerstaff.
“Harris, Reed and Hardaway can still play, but I’m not sure they can collectively improve the Pistons’ level.” Aldridge wrote“After so many years of terrible basketball in the Motor City, I can understand the desire to seek a play-in spot to keep the fan base engaged. With so many other Eastern teams in full tank mode for the 2025 draft, Detroit may well qualify for the play-in by default.”
- Beasley was named the team’s best new weapon in an article by Bleacher Report“Is Beasley perfect? He’s not even close,” the outlet said. wrote“But he took on a unique defensive role last year — and he wasn’t terrible. He held up well, especially when he was assigned bigger assignments. Certainly, the Pistons didn’t sign Beasley hoping he’d be a better defensive player. It’s about shooting. And he can shoot.”
Birds of prey
The Raptors’ offseason moves have shown a tendency to hold their ground and wait to strike, Aldridge said. And then there are worse ideas.
“Lock up Scottie Barnes And Emmanuel Quickley to be the faces of the franchise with RJ Barrett moving forward works, Aldridge wrote. “The project was solid with Ja’Kobe WalterAnd Jonathan Mogboworth a second-round prospectus. Add depth with Davion Mitchell is a plus.
“I don’t know if the things that come after Barnes and Quickley will lift the Raptors out of their post-title slump. With so many teams in the East going Sag for Flagg, Toronto could have a surge in the conference that may not be real.
“But Barnes is a serious player to build around. And it’s no crime to keep the powder dry for another, more advantageous day, especially with a fan base as passionate as Toronto’s.”
