Speaker 2 (00:21.55)
Hello everyone, welcome to the Uncommon Commentators. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Antoine Willis, this is my co-host, Brown, my main man, my right hand man. Always love talking to you men on these Thursday evenings. How you been Garrett? It's been a long week for me. It's been a long week and like, I'm glad you're good, but like for me, it's been a long week, man. working so much.
But of course, I'd love to hear about your week too, brother. How was it?
It's been good. It's gone pretty fast for me. you know, the weekend is, weekend is almost here. So another day in the book. So getting ready to get ready.
Mm-hmm. Nah, I you, Of course, we got a great show for y'all tonight. Some great topics like we always do. Off the top, always have to give a shout out to the people that helped this happen. Shout out to Jay Holloway, Raina Holloway. Any person that does anything with the XSC media. Always love working with y'all. Shout out to Olivia as well. Great girl. She's always giving amazing takes on college basketball, for women's college basketball, WNBA, all that.
Nick Andre as well. Of course, they have a show together called the best damn W show. They're a world renowned women's basketball show, but of course they can talk about anything. Being professional basketball heads, you know, so always love giving a shout out to them and love my main man Wiley as well. Gotta give a shout out to Wiley. I'm who also is a- As he announces himself most definitely. He's also the producer for the best damn W show.
Speaker 2 (02:04.204)
so you guys know the great work that he does. But of course tonight we were gonna chop it up about some NBA. One of the biggest topics in the league right now is Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Obviously we know that they're struggling as of late, given all the adversity that they are facing in this latter half of the season. But I really wanted to focus on Devin individually. Clearly a lot of people think the Phoenix Suns might sell the farm. This summer just seeing the position that they like,
that they are in with lack of draft capital. Kevin Durant's playing great, but he is 36 years old, so he is getting up there. And of course, Bradley Beal's contract, I think it's about 250 million. I don't know who's gonna take that on willingly. Of course, Bradley Beal is a fantastic player, averaged 30 points per game at one point. He's still a phenomenal scorer, even in a diminished role on the Phoenix Suns. I just don't know who's gonna take that contract, so.
Assessing Devin's future after talking about his two counterparts. I'm really interested to see the move he'll make. Obviously, he's been in Phoenix for a very, very long time. They built this team around him. Even getting Bradley built in Kevin Durant, it was to get him some help originally. Of course, they made the finals at one point where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, but they haven't really been able to recapture that same success. They've actually fallen very hard since then.
after seeing their final appearance. So as of right now, according to Bovada LV, the Detroit Pistons are actually the favorite to acquire Devin Booker. I believe they're sitting at like a plus 800 right now. Yep, plus 800 to acquire him. Obviously they're having a great season themselves with Kate Cunningham, Jalen Duran, all those boys down there.
They have an open spot with the shooting guard position with with jaden ivy currently being out due to a lower leg injury in this left leg So it could happen They could make the move obviously Detroit has accumulated their own success right now Just with the court players they do have even even missing their second best player and jaden ivy But I wanted to just name the top candidate for him as of right now Of course, the second place one is the New York Knicks.
Speaker 2 (04:25.688)
They could take him on even though they already have a lot of talent already with Mikael Bridges who just hit a game winner, by the way, beautiful shot to kill the Portland Trail Blazers at home at that. And even that being said, they have a great player like Mikael Bridges and they Jalen Brunson, Carl Anthony Towns. That's a lot to go around in terms of usage. So I'd be surprised if I saw New York make the move. Oklahoma City is tied in second place with New York.
sitting at plus 900. Of course they do have the draft capital. We do know that Phoenix does need it absolutely for the future. So, okay, so you could give them so many picks and players at that to acquire Devin Booker. If they did want to break their core players up, of course seeing the great chemistry they have, that will be kind of surprising to me to see Oklahoma make that trade. Seeing how they're already the number one in the West with the core they have already.
in the fourth place was the Houston Rock kids sitting at plus nine 50. Of course they've slowed down a little bit since their white hot start at the beginning of the year with email. But of course, just still a great team with a great core themselves. Jalen green, Reed shape, Reed shepherd, amen. Thompson, of course, parents in a goon baby. Yoke gets us some people like to call him. the first time I'll start this year, our parents in gun.
So how do you feel about Devin Booker's future as of right now with the teams that I did just list to you? Do you think he'll go to any of those teams? Could you see him going to a different team? He was a shooting guard originally when he first came into the league, but he did move over to the point guard so Bradley Bill could fit into the starting lineup. So knowing he can play both positions as a great combo guard, being able to score and play make, it does widen his horizons in terms of the possibility Cedric could go to.
So where do you think Devin Booker will go maybe this summer? They can make a trade obviously with the trade deadline being passed. where do you think Devin Booker could possibly go this summer?
Speaker 1 (06:25.282)
Yeah, there's a few teams I could see him going to, but overall they seem to be teams that are going through a rebuild, but eventually they want to start making a deep playoff run at some point. So you already mentioned Houston. think that's a team to be on a lookout for. could package Jalen Green in a Devin Booker trade.
Because I'm pretty sure, not just beside draft capital, know that Phoenix and there are going to definitely go into a full rebuild. They'll definitely want a collection of draft picks and jailing, a collection of draft picks and young guys. So I think Houston, could offer a jail and green and a collective of draft picks and a trade for Devin Booker. So that is a destination for him.
I do have San Antonio as well. We did see that they just traded for a Darren Fox and unfortunately he's going to be out for the remainder of the year with a pinky injury and he's having to have a season ending surgery on that. So pray for a speedy recovery on that. But they didn't really have to give up any real draft capital for him to begin with because that was a three team deal, I believe.
so they didn't really have to give up many assets for them. So they can still hold the assets that they have currently, including our picks to make a trade for Devin Booker. So a pairing of him alongside with Dan Fox and Victor Wemba Yama, that is a very enticing young core. Brooklyn, same way. Obviously they're going through a rebuild, but they have a lot of draft capital, especially the draft capital they have acquired for McKellar Bridges, a player that you just mentioned.
from the New York Knicks. Milwaukee will be a team that I could see simply because of the fact that of the situation they have with Giannis who is unhappy in Milwaukee right now. Yes, he loves the city. Yes, he's won a championship with them, but where they are currently, they're not reaching to their highest potential. So I could see them trying to make Giannis happy and do the best they can do to make sure that he stays in Milwaukee.
Speaker 1 (08:50.062)
I could see them making another run for a player like Devin Booker. Now, obviously, I don't know exactly how it's all going to work because they don't really have a lot of young guys they can offer. And I'm not sure what their draft capital looks like. But we'll just have to see. We've seen Luca get traded. So nobody never expected that. So anything could happen. But lastly, to one of the teams that you mentioned, a dark horse is OKC. And I'll just say this. I'm not saying this just to sound like I'm
you know a broken record, but I do believe that for any big name that you may hear for a player like Devin Booker or Kevin Durant or anything like that, OKC is always going to be in the mix simply because of the fact to your point, they have, if not the most draft capital or assets, you know, more than any other team in the league and they have the young players that would entice other teams. So
Now, of course, they'll do everything they can to not get rid of their young core. Now that's expected. know SJ's not going anywhere. Chet O'Gren's not going anywhere. Jalen Williams, maybe depending on who they're trying to get, if it's like a superstar, caliper player, then you can see that happening. But I'm just saying that they have the young guys in the draft capital way more than enough to acquire for a player like Devin Booker. So, but like I said, I'm not sure what OKC's plans are right now.
the number one seed in the West. So we don't know exactly how they're going to go about improving their roster year in, year out. But yeah, those are the teams that I could see trading for a Devon Booker, whether that's in the, this upcoming all season or the next. So we just have to stay in touch and see what happens from there.
Yep. Um, as we record this, Devin Booker is currently averaging 26 points per game for a rebound to the seven assists shooting 46 % on the season. So he's having a great year. He's still a superstar player in my opinion. I don't know. People don't want to throw that word around like that nowadays, but, um, should, uh, thank you for joining us brother. Thank you so much. Um, and yeah, Hey, that's a real candidate. Detroit is really up there to take on Devin Booker. Like I was just mentioning his accolades, like his superstar status and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (11:08.91)
I think he would fit great next to Cade Cunningham. They'd be one of the biggest back courts in the league in terms of the size. I do think that Cade is able to play make at that level where he could feed all of his offensive weapons and still get for himself at the end of the day. He's averaging about I think like eight assists for per game. Cade Cunningham is right now. So he is that nine. Got you. Thank you. appreciate you.
Mm.
And yeah, like he's honestly looking good, man. Like I really liked Kate's game ever since he was at Oklahoma State. And to think Devin Booker could play alongside him like that, I think they'd get along well. I think just given like how we've seen their personalities throughout the.
like throughout their 10 years on their team, like we've seen them stay down with their teams while they've came up and found success, especially seeing the most recent example of Kate Cunningham. I think Detroit has a lot of momentum right now. And I think that's a place where Devin Booker could really flourish. Now to think, they really like pull the trigger for, of course, to end on this topic? Are they really going to pull the trigger on Devin Booker? Like, I don't know. He's still young enough where if you want to like build around him.
for the future right now, you still can. I think maybe with his patience, I think it might get to.
Speaker 1 (12:27.118)
Yeah, could definitely see that happen with Detroit because well, we'll talk about Detroit in a minute, but with Booker, obviously with Detroit, have this is similar to an OKC situation, but they don't necessarily have the exact amount of draft capital that they have, but they do have a very enticing amount of young players that they could send out.
But I think for just a young trio of Cade Cunningham, Devin Booker, and Jalen Durin, that's no joke right there. And it's always surprising that we're seeing them as a top six seed right now. So if they add a player like Devin Booker and pair those two guys with them, I mean, they can make some noise. But yeah, that could be an option too.
Exactly. And it sucks man, because know, Jayden Ivy, I do think he would have to be in that trade package. Absolutely. Just considering his potential and what he can turn into. Of course it basically be position trade for like, know, position for position at that point, especially him at 20, 30 years old, knowing what he can turn into. He is averaging 18 points per game right now with four rebounds and four assists. He's still really young himself coming out of Purdue.
So I think Jayden Ivy also has a bright future. I do think at one point he will average over 20 points a game and take that leap, especially if he's like the main guy in a system. It's hard to be the guy in a system. Like these guys make it look easy. Trey Young, Kate Cunningham, Devin Booker, course, being one of them. Being on teams that really had to, you know, took a little bit to build their course and come up the way that they did. being realistic, like I was saying, like I don't know, like,
I like what you said, I do think it could happen. It really depends if Phoenix really wants to go all in on a rebuild like that, because what really screws them is the draft capital. It's not like they can just have the players they have and just slowly just draft young players and build up the young players while still losing with the old solidified players. There's nowhere to go after these players.
Speaker 1 (14:41.922)
But I mean, my thing is this right here, because I believe senior NBA insider Brian Winos, I think he mentioned it sometime this week, that it's most likely that Katie is on the way out this off season. So it's where by that point, whatever trade package they give for Kevin Durant, it's not like they have a chance to win a championship or at least compete for one, because you're not going to get
a superstar caliber player back for Kevin Durant. I don't think you're going to get a young star player for KD anyways, unless some team is foolish enough to do that. I wouldn't do that in where KD is in his career right now. But that's where it's like, okay, if you're going to trade KD, then that's kind of forcing you to go into a full rebuilding anyway.
That's why I say if you're going to trade KD, then you might as well trade for Booker. But obviously I think Booker is your best asset right now because he's still young and he's still playing at a high level. it's just like, you might as well go ahead and hit the reset button and go from, you know, four, four there. So it makes total sense.
You know, I can see why you would say that because like I did mention earlier, they did make the final. So in the Devin Booker era in Phoenix, he did try his best. He was on the threshold. He was almost there. Like we did see what the prime core around him did look like. There wasn't a hypothetical when, you know, coming out of Kentucky, he did go to the finals. Unfortunately, he just ran into a bus saw that night and one of the greatest NBA finals performance we've ever seen in like the last 10 years. You could definitely say so. So.
Yannis de Tintacumpo. And like, yeah, even reading this tweet, per Duane Ranniken, a journalist based out of Phoenix, Arizona, who covers the Suns, he said that the Phoenix Suns could receive four first round picks in a rising star in a potential trade package for Devin Booker. So, I mean, hey, OK, see, that sounds pretty tailor made. That's four picks, you know.
Speaker 1 (16:52.15)
Yeah, that's why I say OKC, they're always going to be in the mix. Whether if you feel like they will actually make a move or not, it's just for a team like Phoenix that's looking to trade for, well, trading a player like Devin Booker, it all makes sense. So you just never can't count them out. But yeah, I could definitely see that for sure. Yeah.
Okay, now hey and I get it and even as we end on the topic I always like to ask this question. Shout out to Jay. I always laugh when I think about this now when like Jay comes up and stuff. I wanted to ask you obviously we made the NBA finals with this team. It was there for very long time since the 2015. So do you think that Devin Booker during his tenure and Phoenix
did enough to get a Jersey retirement. Number one, going into the rafters.
for sure.
You think so?
Speaker 1 (17:54.252)
Yeah. And I mean, he's been there throughout his entire career and he's helped led them to a finals appearance. and of course all the accolades, statistical accolades to be more specific, of course you take all of that into account. But it's, but then, but then again, it's the organization's decision to decide if he's worthy enough to get a Jersey retirement.
And as I said before, in previous times that I still feel like the Hawks should retire Joe Johnson's jersey, but that hasn't come into fruition. And I don't know that that'll ever happen. But at the of the day, that's the organization's opinion or their outlook on whether or not if a player should deserve a jersey retirement. I think just all the work that he's done in Phoenix and
all the hard work he's put in and like I said, leading them to a finance appearance. I think that's definitely enough to get a dress of retirement. So it's not gonna happen anytime soon, but yeah, I think that they should.
No, I do agree. He made the All-Star team four times. Made the All-MBA team and All-MBA 13 All-MBA rookie team back in 2016 when he first came in. I do think he made a name for himself in Arizona. Definitely one of the greatest players to ever don the jersey, in my opinion, to ever put on the purple. Yeah, I mean, it's just unfortunate. Like he was this close, you know, to winning a championship. Of course, they did lose, like I mentioned.
but yeah, man, and now like they find themselves at the bottom of the West. They, know, they took a risk, you know, they took a risk. Like they, they, they, they really just wanted, like, that was their first time trying to capitalize off the championship core. You know, I thought they should have, you know, kept Chris Paul and stuff like that. You know, like I really thought like that core, they really should just ran it back, of course. But, that's what everyone says. And of course so much can change in an NBA off season. And just like going into this season.
Speaker 2 (20:00.878)
A lot of teams weren't predicted to perform as good as they are for the moment. So obviously we've seen a lot of surprises this year with a lot of these young cores really taking a massive step up in competition and taking out heavyweights of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, we've seen be around for a while. So for me, I wanted to ask you, as we roll to our second topic, what was your pick for the most improved team this year? Of course, there's always a most improved player.
at the end of the year, but I wanted your vote for the most improved team this year. can give one, you can give an East West team. It doesn't matter.
Yeah, the only team is Detroit.
Speaker 1 (20:48.31)
Yeah, it's, I mean, it's, it's clear as water. mean, the Detroit, mean, they were literally one of the very worst teams in the East last year. And then now they're top six seed. And, and really, to be honest with you, I think that's set in stone. Mathematically, when you look at, because the Hawks, they're at the seventh seed and we look at the separation between those two teams. It doesn't seem like the Hawks even have a chance of getting the sixth seed.
But unless Detroit goes on illusion street, but I don't know. We'll see. But right now that's that it looks like that spot is locked. But with the Troy, like I said, they're top 60 team. And to be honest with you, with that being the case, it could be a lock. I think K. Cunningham would win most improved player or as well for sure, because right now he's averaging almost 26 points per game, six rebounds and.
lower nine assists and He became a first-time all-star this year. So and look the last time they made the playoffs was back in 2019 where they got swept by the Bucks for for zip and prior to that it was 2016 so It's like over these past six years. They haven't made the playoffs until they're during that time. So now they're definitely going to make the playoffs this year. So we look at the
You know, the addition of JB Bickerstaff as a head coach and the acquisitions of, uh, Bleebsley and other veterans, Tim Ardrey Jr. Obviously that has helped the development of those players. So, and that's why I said before that we could see them, you know, potentially trading for a player like Devin Booker. We never know. We'll see, but I don't think that they're going to stop here. Of course, they're going to, excuse me, of course they're going to continue to develop the young guys like.
Kate Cunningham and Jaylen Durant and other players. So, but of course, if they're going to continue to improve every year, then obviously they're going to look to add players that's going to help them in that process. But no, for Detroit, what they've done this year, they have been very impressive. As I said, they are the 60, they're sitting with a record of 37 and 29. So they're eight games above 500.
Speaker 1 (23:11.31)
So they're doing very well and that's not really a team that I could sit here and say that has also improved just as well as Detroit. So like I said, just to go from being one of the very worst teams in the East, like bottom of the barrel worse, and then now you're a top 60 in the East. Now, of course, when we get to the playoffs, I don't really expect nothing more from them at that point.
Because if I'm not mistaken, believe they would face, if the playoffs were today, they would face the New York Knicks. That would be a nice series.
That'd be pretty interesting. It would be interesting.
It was, but I don't, but I don't now. Now I'll be honest with you. I'm not going now. They're not going to get swept, but it wouldn't surprise me because especially how the Knicks are playing right now. I mean, with all the talent that they have, and I feel like they should be playing at a much higher level than they are right now. But it wouldn't surprise me if that series went to six or seven games because Detroit, they are a team that plays tough. And especially with K. Cunningham, I mean, he's been a tough cover. I mean.
Even with our own Dyson Daniels, he's he I mean, Kate Cunningham has had his number throughout this season. But I'm just saying that, hey, it wouldn't surprise me if they that's his goal to 67 games by stuff. The next coming out on top. But I'm just saying that this is a team that you can no longer overlook and or take for granted. But yeah, I'm very impressed with the Pistons this year. Very impressive.
Speaker 2 (24:44.216)
For sure, man. Like you can pick it back in off what you said. There's not really any other, like any other team I could say. They really have taken the throne unanimously, consensus most definitely. Just looking at the statings from last year, they were the 15th team in the Eastern Conference. They were 14 in 68 last year. Even as comparing it to this season.
They're 37 in 29, like they're seven and three in their last 10. They're looking really good. Like they're three games, the three wins away from being 40. Like, like they're three wins away from being 40 and 29. Like they're even so good that like the man Wiley has to come on and give a take, you know, like everyone loves Detroit basketball. Obviously the Pistons won the ring back in 2004. One of the most charismatic teams of all time was Ben Wallace.
Exactly, Rashid Wallace, Chauncey Billups, was like literally the re-envision, like the remake of the Bad Boys Pistons when they won in 2004. They even beat the Lakers that year, they were that good. So, would love to hear about your opinion on the new version of Detroit Pistons. The resurgence has been incredible and they have a new superstar to take them into the future now. So how do you feel about the Pistons, Wiley?
First of all, shout out to Shaq.
Speaker 1 (26:11.424)
Shout out to Shaq, that one's for you Shaq. So I recorded last night on my podcast and I called bullshit on Shaq because how do you get up here? How do you get up here on national television and...
Everybody around you are, you know, given Detroit their props and you fix yourself to go and spit off your stats. And first of all, you call out the wrong coach. Cause I feel like, guess Chauncey Billets bust y'all ass so bad in that 2004 finals that you felt like he was the coach of the Pistons.
but shout out to JB Bicker staff for getting this team where they are. And that's crazy to say, especially when they had Monty Williams as their coach and we saw what Monty Williams did, especially when he was in Phoenix. like every stop that Monty Williams been like, been that, he was like one of those coaches like, yo, Monty Williams is a coach that you would like to play for. And for whatever reason from,
the issues that he had late with Phoenix and then going into Detroit and just not being able to make it work for whatever reason. It was crazy to see, but then you bring in JB Biggerstaff and this team does a complete turnaround and do a complete turnaround and shout out to Azura Thompson.
because he's one of the guys that one started late due to a blood clot issues. So he set out a month, but as he's come in the game in as a rookie and he's been honing, you know, trying to hone his craft, like you can tell he's going to be at the very least he's going to be an awesome. And he's going to be one of those key pieces for, this team or any team for that matter. when it comes to.
Speaker 1 (28:25.902)
somebody that you need to go grab a rebound, possibly get a bucket for you. Like he's been showing little by little throughout the season. And he's been another, he's been one of those, one of those key pieces for Detroit in helping them get to where they're at now. Like you said, they're what, six in the East?
6, 37 and 29, 7 and 3 in their last 10.
And again, for them to only have won 14 games last year, like, it's a no-brainer of who the most improved team is. And that's no slight to OKC or...
like Houston or...
or even the Cavs for that matter. Cleveland, yeah. They've only lost 10 games as of right now. like looking back, looking back to last year's standings, OKC pretty much is right where they had last year. So there's only going to be so much improvement from a win standpoint. Cleveland, they got a few more wins, but they're also about at that same, well,
Speaker 1 (29:37.27)
I take that back. They've improved a little bit more than what they did last year because last year they were, think like fifth or sixth in the East. course they've made a hell of a jump, but it's nothing compared to being at the complete bottom of the barrel of a conference and to dig your way out to now being a play out, not even a play in team, a play off team.
So shout out to Detroit, man. There's no ifs, ands, or buts. They are the most improved team for this NBA season.
And of course, the second half of this topic is assessing their ultimate ceiling. Now, obviously, Cade Cunningham is extremely young right now to be playing the way that he is with the pieces around him. They have Oscar Thompson, they have Ron Holland, who they just drafted last summer. They have Isaiah Stewart, they have Jaylen Dern, they have all these players, and they have a good coach like JB Bickerstaff like Wiley just mentioned. So obviously, with any superstar at the top of the roster, also Jayden Ivy.
Only forgot about him because he's hurt right now. He is playing great. He's played, think, 30 games this season, averaging 18 points a game, like I mentioned earlier. So Kate's back court mate is also looking great. Gotta give a shout out to Ivy, the former number fourth pick in the draft. Also, his mom is the coach for the Fighting Irish in Notre Dame. They're also looking good. Of course, they got eliminated, unfortunately, but still a great team, of course. And yeah, man, so what the...
with the Kate Cunningham era in Detroit, do you think he can lead them to a championship or do they need one more piece out of the draft in free agency to win it? Or is this core with Kate Cunningham at the SI1 superstar enough to win a championship? Wiley first, Garrett second.
Speaker 1 (31:35.742)
think that can they, can they possibly get to a championship? Possibly. Anything's possible now, with the core that they have great core, definitely need to add, add a piece and it's going to, it has, it's going to have to be from free agency. you guys mission about getting Devin Booker, I had them as my dark horse for getting Kevin Durant.
Mmm.
They can, they're, they're possibly a dark horse to get Kevin, Kevin Durant just because of the type of thing. But of course we know, we know Katie wants to go to a, to a contender. So I mean, I understand if, if that, you know, if he was like, yeah, no, I'm not going to Detroit, but putting dropping Katie with that team would, would ultimately help out a lot. It'll free up a lot of, a lot of space on the floor just because of the type of
the type of player that he is, he'll, of course you can still let Cade be Cade. Like it just opens up so much for a lot of people. Of course, I think from a big standpoint, from their bigs, that might be the way I would lean if I'm Detroit.
As far as like finding that next that next player to drop in to help catapult the team You would give up a big man. No, I'm saying I would go look for a big man. look for okay. Yeah, I'll go look for for a big man, but Again, the way this game is you're probably gonna have to lean to that small for slash powerful position where they can put the ball on put the ball on the floor be able to Create their own shot possibly make you know make the right
Speaker 1 (33:27.756)
make the right paths when needed and figure it out from there.
Devin Booker, man.
I look at the Devin Booker portion of it as y'all talked about it earlier, and I just find it hard. And again, hell, people said it with LeBron and Luca about who's gonna do what. It's possible as long as y'all make those calls ahead of time before you get out on the court and start.
and start trying to compete. I need to see who's all free agents this year, man, because it's depending on who's the free agents. they have money. That's the crazy part. They have money. So they can make a move or two to get this team to the point where they can really compete.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, man. Like for me, I'm sorry, Garrett. I was just gonna even just say, so of course the championship doesn't have to be this year. Like obviously, I mean, again, Wiley said it himself. Anything can happen. They could catch fire in the first round and we'll see what happens. know, a young team like that is always dangerous, of course, but I just wanted to add that, of course, it didn't have to be this year. Just do you think in general that this court
Speaker 2 (35:03.352)
can win a championship one day. I think they've shown amazing potential thus far, but of course I would love to hear what you have to say, Garrett, as well.
Yeah, I think they could win a championship with the court that they have but of course If you're talking about getting a player like Devin Booker as I said before a player like Jayden Jayden Ivy will be a good player to start off with because honestly, Kay Cunningham, Jaylen Durin and Asara Thompson those are the three guys that are Untouchable in my opinion. So you honestly could
add Jayden Ivy and a guy like Isaiah Storey into the mix and then of course other players that you may have to throw in just to match the salary financially wise. Yeah, you know, they're gonna need to throw more money just to make the money work. like I said, think with those three guys, they cannot be included now.
And this is how I envision, as far as building a championship cover franchise, is just more so where everybody's timeline age-wise has to match. So if they decide to get Kevin Durant, I'm not saying it's not a bad move because of the fact that, hey, KD is still playing at a very high level at his age right now, but you don't necessarily know how many years you actually have left with him.
If you think you can get another two, three years out of them, then OK. Then that's kind of putting you in situation where, if Katie can play this way for the next two, three years, then it's kind of where, OK, you have to win right now. So meaning that, OK, once you add Kevin Durand, then it's like, OK, what else are you going to do? Because I think that they need to add just a little bit more just to solidify their chances of winning a championship. Because when you look at teams,
Speaker 1 (37:01.228)
Like Cleveland or Boston or even New York, even though that they're not playing at their highest potential right now, but that's still a tough team when they're fully healthy. So I just think if they're going to add Kevin Durant, they need to add just a tad bit more. I'm not saying they need to add another superstar, but I just think that, okay, once they do that, then they probably need to add more bench-dev because again, you're giving up the Well, probably you're going to have to give up Jayden Ivy and then possibly as they had Stuart and then.
other guys that you had to match salary. So that could be a Malik Beasley or a Tim Hardaway Jr. So you need to refill that as well. But no, I think that Kevin Durant or a Devin Booker. But I think to me, a Devin Booker trade will make more sense because he still fits with their timeline. He's still young. I still think for Cade Cunningham, he's a guy that's able to get other guys involved and still get his. And then Devin Booker,
Unlike his situation with him and Bradley Beale, at least when they first started playing together, that trade-in makes sense because both guys typically are not able to do what they do at best. So Booker, he's able to play as natural position at the two and be able to do what he does, which is catch and shoot threes and do other things that he does to score the ball. So I think he would be more comfortable in that position rather than being a secondary ball handler or anything like that. So of course, K-Cuttingham, he would be the guy that would be in charge of all that. But yeah.
Let's see what happens. But yeah, I either one of those players will be nice to add. All right, so real quick, Asai, Sad Katie and Booker. So here are a few names that will be free agents going into the off season. So we got Miles Turner, Karris LaVert, Brandon Neagram, they're all unrestricted free agents. You have Cam Thomas. Karris is unavailable, he's coming back.
Nope, nope, nope.
Speaker 1 (38:56.398)
Please. I would love to have Caris Laverg back, I mean, I'm not the GM, but hey, he'll be a nice addition. Please. I just got jumped. Y'all ain't see that? Y'all ain't see it. Brandon Ingram, like I said, unrestricted. So then we got Cam Thomas, Jonathan Camiga, Josh Giddy.
Of course we'll talk about that.
Speaker 1 (39:27.89)
Well, that was was just to say this here for the record Brandi Ingram He did sign an extension with Toronto when he got traded there. Yep Okay. Yeah, so he may not see us. Oh, well, well, honestly, I don't know what they're gonna do They may actually keep them but or unless they That was some sort of small screens small screen where they could trade them to get more pieces back. But yeah James Harden
Yeah, Kyrie. I feel like Kyrie may stay with Dallas, but Kyrie not putting LeBron in there. Chris Middleton, Julius Rando, Russell Westbrook. You got also John Collins, Dorian Finney-Smith, Kelly Oubre, Bobby Portis, Nas Reid, Duncan Robinson, Fred Van Bleek.
Garrett Temple. And also I think.
I keep getting them checks, Garrett.
For sure most definitely 388 pushing 39 he's still here, you know
Speaker 1 (40:31.298)
But like with those names, like with just those names that I rattled off, like who, I would say who in that list would, could you possibly see that compare up with Detroit to help them? They could definitely, I mean, I don't think that they need, well, they, again, it just depends on.
who's in a trade package. but I just think that more than likely they would just free ages. Those are free ages. So, right. I'm just saying, like, I just think that for me, I think they're more than likely they're, they'll need to add more front court depth. So therefore I think I could see a, I could see them signing a Bobby Portis or a John Collins, maybe John Collins, because he's a little bit, he's younger than
Bobby Portis, believe. I mean, they could add Chris Milton, but he's injured prone. He's not really trustworthy. But Jonathan Kamenga, I think he's unrestricted. I thought he was restricted for aging. Yeah, he's a restrict. Restricted. Okay. Yeah. So I mean, for a guy like Jonathan Kamenga, now that can happen too, because Golden State and honestly.
I think he would be nice on the house, but that is another conversation. But I think with Golden State, they just had a lot of trouble. They just had a lot of trouble with coming to an extension with him. So I think they'll have some challenges. So if a team happens to throw an offer sheet, that's going to make Golden State think twice. Then I think that's where you're at in advantage. But of course, you're not really going to break the bank for a guy like Jonathan Kamenga.
I mean, they could do so if they are able to, you know, clear some space. they want to get, yeah. And, know, John F. Camiga, I mean, he's really good. He's a, he's a really good three point shooter, a really good three and D guy, very athletic. So I can see that happening too. But yeah, yeah. But, but generally I just think they need to add more, front court depth to their bench after they happen. If they do trade for a guy like Devin Booker, then that's where they need to go.
Speaker 2 (42:52.11)
Yeah, like some some upcoming centers, they could get Steven Adams like Miles Turner, of course. I don't know if I see him ever leaving Indiana. I he loves Indiana for sure. I mean, I actually still has his original rookie card. I showed a picture of it that they used to get access to the gym. It's like completely deteriorated. That's how long he's been on the team. Click appella, of course, coming out of Atlanta.
He has not reached an extension with the Hawks yet. at all. There's not even been no word of it. and he just got paid 22 million last year from Atlanta. So we'll see the actual want to take on that contract. he has regressed absolutely, but he's still averaging about nine points and 90 pounds a game right now. And he's only 30. So he's still definitely at least a good backup center for sure. I think that's the level he's at right now, in my opinion, a backup center.
Not of course, you know subjecting him to so he could definitely start for other teams But I do think that Jalen during would definitely start over a clink of Pella I'm like I mentioned Stephen Adams and I think those are the best two on the market Maybe outside of Kevin Looney, but I don't know if I see him leaving Golden State. He's been there for forever himself, you know, so um He's been there like ten years It's like Dwight Powell in Dallas, you know, he's been like people don't realize how long by
Yeah, yeah, Kelly Oubre too, do agree Luke Kennard would also be a great shooter for their death. think re-signing Malik Beasley is a must and my last player I think I that Nikhil Alexander Walker out of Minnesota, but he might probably stay in Minnesota now seeing the core that they have I think they are all really close him JD McDaniels Anthony Edwards, seeing the success they have found their past few games
I do think they have found their hope and have found their footing after getting Julius Randall this year. So I don't know if I've seen the QA leave, but I think if Detroit were to pursue him and pay him a lot of money, he's getting 4.5 million from Minnesota this year. So of course, if they could maybe sway Walker, that'd be a great backup piece as well. And yeah, that's a lot. And honestly, my last one, I would say Amir Coffee. I just like his jump shot a lot. Amir Coffee, you know, coming out of the Clippers.
Speaker 2 (45:08.512)
I just really think he's a solid shooter. You know, I think the more death in the shooting, the better for Detroit. Especially seeing how good of a playmaker the Kade Cunningham is and his defensive gravity as well. He causes so much attention on the floor. So I think Amir Coffee would be good. He's shooting 41 % from three right now. So I think Coffee would also be a great piece. And like to end on this topic, of course, want to give a shout out to Detroit.
just words can't express like if I was a fan I'd be so happy you know like to being like in pure obscurity not even purgatory pure obscurity no one talking about the Pistons for years at this point and to see them really like transcend up the ladder this fast I think it's really scary for the East I think they only improve from here I don't think it's gonna be a matter of them plateauing or becoming stagnant I think they're only gonna improve
With the momentum they have, they believe in themselves now, and then they're not even fully healthy yet. So I do think Detroit eventually will make a deep playoff run. To answer my own question, I do think that Cade Cunningham can win them a championship. I think they can do it, man. I think they have the core. Cades, you know, I mean, he has the potential to go on and be like the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. Of course, you know, like with Trey Young on my team, you know, I'm definitely always going to say Trey.
seeing what he brings to the table.
I about to say, I was say man, you sick little bitch.
Speaker 2 (46:39.065)
Oh, no, but I mean, hey, of course, we're gonna talk about that. We'll talk about that in a little bit, of course. I mean, yeah, even looking at it, like, undoubtedly, Kate Cunningham will for certain be up there in the top three of the Eastern Conference in terms of point guards. aren't gonna be many point guards better than him. And having the core around him, we're gonna see how it looks for him. either way, shout out to the Pistons, any fans that stuck with them. You're a real fan. It's hard to...
be a fan like that. We rarely see people nowadays just rep their cities and not just rep a favorite team. And that's your award. You guys stayed down with your team and now you're a playoff team now. So now you get to claim to have a good team and stuff like that. That's the beauty of basketball. When you actually rebuild and go through the pain and like how us Hawks fans did to get Trey, of course. Even as we mentioned the Hawks, we get the
I should do that this time around and have some fun with it. They are on a four game win streak as of right now. They're looking good. They just beat the Charlotte Hornets in their last game. Looking good, man. So. For sure. They're definitely looking solid. Most definitely. As of right now, the next opponent will be the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow on Friday night in the State Farm Arena.
Obviously that's gonna be a big test for them. They got some superstar talent coming down here from LA. So we'll see how it goes. Hopefully they can get it done. But of course I wanted to talk about what they have done thus far. Obviously we know what happened with Jalen Johnson back on January 23rd when he injured his shoulder against the Toronto Raptors when he had an inadvertent collision with the franchise player, Scotty Barnes.
He's out for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, he was averaging 19 points a game 10 rebounds with five assists at 23. He was looking great. He was having a breakout year. We just mentioned Kade Cunningham winning most improved player. Jalen Johnson, literally not us being biased, purely objective was literally the second place right behind Kade to win most improved player on every single betting audience. You whether it was fan dual sports, but
Speaker 2 (48:55.512)
draft king sports book, Bovada. Didn't matter what you looked at. Jalen Johnson was right there at least second or third to win most approved players. So that was our second best player that we did lose. And what happened after that, they had to make some trades. We lost Deandre Hunter and Bogdanova, but clearly in return we did get George Nying, Terrence Manic and Karris Levert. All three have looked good, especially Karris Levert who's averaging 20.6 points.
over his last five games against the Memphis Grizzlies. He had some crazy fourth quarter heroics to get us that victory, 132 to 130. So just wanted to set the table of the recent current events that have taken place down south in the ATL. Just going up and down at this point, but right now they're up more than down for certain.
They're fighting to maintain their play-in spot, which they will likely do as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. going to be kind of hard trying to get to that sixth seed, seeing how Detroit is 37 and 29 with a clear positive record. And Atlanta is still, I believe, we're 31 and 34 at the moment. So as of right now, how do you feel about the Atlanta Hawks, our very own NBA team? And where do you think we really go come the play-in? Do you think?
We matched up well because as of right now, if we were to win the plan, we would come in as the seventh seed and we would be rematch with an old friend. The Boston Celtics, the guys in green. Obviously last time we played them, it went six games. A lot of people thought we were going to get swept and stuff like that. Obviously, Trey Young had to pull off some crazy performances. Even when we lost in game six at halftime, the score was 67 to 66 and Trey had just had 25 points in the first half.
So clearly when it comes to Atlanta and their struggles, they are circumstantial. They've shown the flashes. Their players this year, Dyson Daniels, Zachary Rissache, who has played gray recently. He's creeping to the top three of the Kia rookie ladder race. He's ranked number three right now. But I do think he could definitely take that title seeing how he is performing. He's the only rookie this season to have like multiple 30 point games the way that he is. even when he's not...
Speaker 2 (51:12.3)
having 30 points when he's having 22 or 27, he's shooting on great efficiency. Whether it's like 11 of 13 or nine of 16, he's showing great efficiency. Dyson Daniels obviously is leading the league in Steelers right now with phenomenal performances on defense. He's probably obviously a lock for the first all defensive team this year. I'd be shocked if he didn't make it, to be quite honest with you. Seeing the historic season he's having on the defensive end.
And last but not least, know Trey Young, he's still leading the league in assists this year. The 6'1 point guard out of Oklahoma, our very own franchise players. So obviously it's a lot of good things in Atlanta going on right now in terms of the metrics and the numbers and the performances. Of course, the record does not indicate how good they are as a team, especially missing their second best player in Jalen Johnson. So what do you think happens with Atlanta come to play in? Like I mentioned, they would face the Boston Celtics, so.
How do you see that going and what do you think happens come the end of the season? Can we go on a crazy win streak to try to maybe battle the sixth seed? we just stay in the plan? Where do you think Atlanta goes come the end of the season?
Yeah, I mean, of course they could still try to battle out and see if they could make a late push to try to grab the sixth seed. Detroit, they did just lose to Washington, so they're now 37 and 30, but still they still created enough separation, meaning Detroit, to where it's making it hard for Atlanta to really catch up to get the sixth seed. So more than likely we'll be a playing team.
Now, if the play-in was today, it's obviously the best case scenario because if you're the seventh or eighth seed, if you win, then you'll answer to the playoffs. But if not, you'll get another shot at it of making it. So, which is nice. But I mean, I don't want to see Orlando in the play-in. And then if we happen to lose, I think potentially,
Speaker 1 (53:21.378)
You know, we could see Miami in the next round and that's not a team I want to see either. But, but the answer to question, if the playoffs were today, right? And if we happen, if we do, yeah, cause we, would have phased Boston. I mean, let's just be honest here and I will feel a lot better if Jalen Johnson was still here, fully healthy, then I will feel a lot better about our chances going up against Boston.
Now I'm not saying that we will beat them because they are the reigning champs, but I think our chances of beating Boston would definitely increase if this team was fully healthy. I think that what Hawks fans would be more excited about is just to see this young nucleus with Trey, Dyson, Zach and JJ, and also a Kongu of seeing what this core can do together.
So, and I think that's still the same case, even with JJ out. I'm looking forward to seeing what Dyson can do on a playoff level. This is his first year as a starter. So we'll see how he does in the playoffs as a starter by that time. Of course, we will see, even though Akong will, he's been here for, I believe five years. So we know what he brings to the table, but as a starter, let's see what more he can do. And of course, Zach.
I'm not sure how many minutes that he'll actually average in the playoffs. We know coach Quinn Snyder, he's more, reliant on his veteran players. we could see Zach still start, but I don't know, he may not get the same amount of minutes that he's getting right now. But no, I just think that for the, for the team this year is just to see what they have in the young players on another level of basketball in the playoffs. And that's really, that's all that.
You could really ask for and then that gives you a clear picture of okay What does the team need to do to improve the roster in the offseason? Meaning in the summer with the draft and free agency and things of that nature and go on from there But like you say they're on a four game win streak. They just beat Charlotte last night 123 to 110 their next five games is the Clippers the team that you just mentioned then you have Brooklyn then you have Charlotte once more then you have Golden State and Philly
Speaker 1 (55:48.194)
So looking at those next five games, I best case scenario, you go three and two because Golden State and the Clippers, they are tough teams, even though that Golden State, are the sixth seed. And I believe the Clippers, are the eighth seed. Yes, eighth seed. So, but still those are two teams that are tough for Atlanta. But like I said, three and two, that's probably the best case scenario, or you could go four and one, but.
See if you could potentially be either go to state or the Clippers there. So I think that's the best case scenario, but the Hawks bench unit has definitely helped this team win these last, these four games of win streak that they are right now. Karras LeVert in his last five games prior to last night's game versus Charlotte. He's been averaging 20 points per game, shooting 55 % from the field, averaging a little over two.
point, little over two, three points per game, little over a steal per game and averaging almost 30 minutes. And also Terrence Mann, he's been averaging in his last eight games, 12 points, shooting 57 % from the field, shooting 42 % from three and averaging 25 minutes. So these guys, they've been, been able to give this Hawks team a big lift off the bench. And that's why I say they play a big part of them on this four game winning streak. So if they're able to con-
to keep up that production throughout these next five games, hey, then you may have a real shot of getting to succeed. But of course, it all depends on how Detroit is playing on their end. If they're happy to catch a win streak of their own, then it's kind of hard. yeah, like I said, I was hoping that we will be a top 60 this year, but of course-
do a Jaden Johnson being out that play in effect to it. But at least I could say, hey, we were close to it because when this team is fully healthy, we were on our way to being our top four seed team. So I can't be mad about that. So hopefully next year we will have much better luck. And then of course, hopefully that will add more depth to the roster for it to be improved and see how we are next year. yeah, I'm anticipating it be a play-in team and hopefully that will make it.
Speaker 1 (58:09.472)
interesting in the playoffs against Boston or either Boston or Cleveland. It just depends on how we end up in the play-in. So yeah, we'll see how goes.
Yeah, man, like I agree with everything you said, man, to end our last topic. Like, I agree, man. You know, when Jalen got injured, they were 22 and 19. They were like the sixth seed themselves in the Eastern Conference. They were looking good, man. They were just fighting. They were fighting like, the same time as them, like all the other teams were like 23 and 18 and stuff like that. So.
They were looking good, man. Stalins, like, he was having a phenomenal year. One of the times they played the Celtics, even when Trey was not there, he had 18 points, 10 rebounds. was 18 points. It was 13 assists in 10 rebounds. So he had a triple double when Trey wasn't there. Dave, he was supposed to as the second best player on the team and held him down. Did it in every facet, scored the ball, passed the ball, rebounded and played defense that night. Dyson Daniels also had a great game that night as well.
Um, he also stepped up as well versus Charlotte. I think I had like 25 points and nine assists that night. Um, so he, he, he looked great too. His floater has looked phenomenal this year in the interior. Obviously everyone knows what he could do on defense. So it's a lot of positives in Atlanta. Obviously they're more in the future than they are in the present right now for sure. I think everyone looking at the young corner and like looking at our ages, like.
We know how good this course is gonna be. I'm really happy for Trae Young seeing how all of their timelines match in terms of Dyson, Zachary, Jaylen and seeing all their potential that core of four players. Of course, we still have Viet Crechi as well who also is playing good and Onyeka. But like I think those four players, all four of those players have potential to make an all-star game one day, 1000%. Even Zachary Roussache right now at 19 years old, I think with him,
Speaker 2 (59:59.39)
not even being 20 right now, looking the way that he is when he's 22 years old. I think he will indeed show that number one overall pick potential and to think like a caliber, like a player of that caliber next to an already two solidified star players in Shreyoung and Jalen Johnson, three players all drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. It would just be amazing to see them all like just really.
form that tandem like that, you know, like, it would be tailor made because you know, like Zachary's number is 10 and Jalen's 11 and what's 10 plus one. I'm saying like, no, you know, Jalen's one, you know, and Trey's 11 and you know, it just makes sense, you know. Yeah, 10 plus one equals 11, you know, they just be perfect, you feel me? But I said right now with the present, like I said, they are in a four game, streak.
Garrett laid out the rest of the games. do think they can be the Clippers. Four and one is the best scenario. Of course they could go five and no any team can be any team on any given day, but the Hawks are known to play to the level of their competition sometimes. So hopefully just in this next, these next few games, they can really just keep the consistency. That's all we can really ask for right now that they really maintain their head above water. Don't just plummet and collapse near the end of the season and fall in like in the ninth seat or anything like that. To stay near the seventh seat.
Hold your spot firmly and to see what happened comes to playoffs the playoffs is like a whole it's the reset button I get it like, know You can say that and then like when the ball hits the floor and you start losing it's different But like at the end of the day like it's still a reset, you know, it's really called a post season for a reason Like it's a whole new season. It's just post regular season, you know, so I really do look forward to it
I'm not going to give like, you know, finals prediction, anything like that, like who I think could make it and stuff like that. But, I think Atlanta can give any team a run for their money. We know Trey Young is a playoff player. Certain players are playoff players that, you know, just raise their game and the playoffs, know, like some fall off in the playoffs, you know, like, know, like, like a James Harden used to, or some players raised their game. Like in my opinion, I always thought Kyle Lowry was a playoff player for sure. I thought KL was a playoff player.
Speaker 2 (01:02:17.546)
Uncle I Leonard as well. I think is also a playoff player notorious for going off in the playoffs when ready. Stephen Curry another guy who's a playoff player Not all superstars, of course, but you know some dudes freeze up and train young is one guy who was known to race this game on the playoffs Everyone knows that Trey likes big games in moments like that. So as long as they have Trey
and knowing what he can generate with the rest of his passing ability as a generational playmaker and things of that nature. think Atlanta could try to make something shake in the first round. They gave the Celtics a run for their money last time they played them in the first round. Of course, the Celtics have gotten better since then, but hey, so still have the Hawks on paper at least. And we'll see what happens. These are the best basketball players in the world. But of course, for the Hawks fans, all we can ask right now, like I said,
Like Garrett said is that they just maintain their consistency right now and really just try to just keep their composure. if any other injuries were to happen, anything like that, God forbid, you know, we just saw Trey deal with a minor left quad injury, but he bounced back and had 35 points and 12 assists against Charlotte. So, really good to see he's still playing at a high level since February. And like I said, as long as they got the main man himself, the hogs can definitely make something shake until the boy Jalen comes back. so.
That's it for me on this Thursday night show. Unless you had anything else that you wanted to add, Garrett. I'm good, brother. Most definitely.
I'll be here too.
Speaker 2 (01:03:53.458)
awesome. want to thank y'all again for joining us. Please don't forget to like comment, and subscribe. They gotta give a shout out to Wiley for coming on here and giving us takes, Detroit basketball, Detroit basketball, Detroit basketball.
Speaker 2 (01:04:11.598)
Most definitely Detroit basketball for one more time for the boys in the back, you know, um got to you know It's really happy for y'all all the Pistons fans. You feel me? We just hope Atlanta of course can do the same course We've got some injuries right now, but we'll see you boys in the future I think the Hawks the Pistons are gonna be neck-to-neck like I mentioned Trey young and Kate I think they're gonna be neck-and-neck in the Eastern Conference for years to come And that's it for me man. Thank y'all again for watching us
Thank you again for joining the Uncomment Commentators podcast. Again, like I said, don't forget to like, comment and subscribe. Always trying to grow out our audience. Love doing the show for y'all. And thank you all again for joining us. I'm Antoine Willis, this was Garrett Brown. Also just got one more thing to say. I did also recently start publishing.
Some Los Angeles Lakers articles. So for any of you fans out there that do like the Lakers, I'm gonna work for the lead. Same with my boy, Gary. He also works for the lead as well. Really prominent publication online that covers sports, sports of all types. And I just got a job covering the Lakers beat. It's a pretty big beat on our site. So any of you lake shows out there, most definitely go check out a piece, most definitely. Just put up a piece about what the Lakers will look like post-LeBron.
so definitely go check that out and not always open to constructive criticism and opinions. definitely. And I literally couldn't have done that without Garrett, put me in position, know, great dude, you know, that's why I love doing the show with him. and yeah, man, I just want to give a thank you to you, Garrett, for making the time out, do the show like always, man. Thank you to Wiley for taking the time out to do the show.
Thank you to the fans who took the time out to watch the show. Of course couldn't do this without y'all most importantly. And that's it for me, man. Most definitely.
Speaker 1 (01:06:12.684)
Yes sir. Thank you all.