Barring a trade or injury, the Pistons will likely have to choose between Saben Lee or Rodney McGruder for their final roster spot, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes in his latest mailbag column. Making a trade, perhaps involving one of their big men, would create roster openings for both of those players.
McGruder recently signed a fully guaranteed one-year, minimum salary contract.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Pistons are close to finalizing a contract with Keith Bogans to join Dwane Casey‘s staff, ESPN contributor Frank Isola tweets. Rashard Lewis is also in talks with the Pistons regarding a coaching position, Isola adds.
- The Celtics lead all teams in projected regular season wins at Caesars Sportsbook, as Doug Kezirian of ESPN relays. The Celtics’ win total over/under for the 2022/23 campaign is 54.5, followed closely by the Suns (53.5), Bucks (52.5), Warriors (52.5) and Clippers (51.5).
- What do the Cavaliers need to avoid in order to continue their ascent in the Eastern Conference? Injuries, regression in an improved conference and defensive slippage, according to The Athletic’s Kelsey Russo, who takes a closer look at each of those possibilities.
Cavs defense shot up from 25th to 7th. As long as Mobley, Allen and to a lesser extent, Markannen are on the floor I think the defense will stay top 10 especially if Ochai Agbaji is as good as rumored at the wing when playing small ball. The area in which they suck and haven’t addressed is on offense.It was a bottom 5 team last year and Garland had to carry more than his share of the ball handling and perimeter shooting with no Sexton and a crowded post area. I would love for them to feed Mobley more offensively. He’s smart enough to run plays and pass when needed too. If they bring back Sexton then Garland would have a full range of weapons at every position. Sexton can assist with the outside shooting too. If he can improve on off ball movement as rumored he’s been working on then that should also create for a lot of open looks. Mobley has astounding ball handling skills and great footwork for his size. Would love to see him work on his 3pt shooting and FT too. That would make him a complete offensive threat and allow more spacing down in the post and opposite ball side.
I want Collin back so bad. I hope they get rid of Dylan or Cedi so that we can actually pay him. Though I believe Dylan still has potential, and Cedi is solid role player.
I’m really impressed with the addition of Bogden to the Celts. It was a trade I suggested early this off season. If he can stay healthy and orchestrate the offense well it’ll make them a more balanced team not reliant on hero ball. He also needs to return to being an outside threat something Smart couldn’t do.
Former players bogans and lewis on the pistons coaching staff is a good thing