Detroit Pistons

Shoot a jump shot. Dunk a basketball. Play hard defense. Make sure the corners of your duvet are lined up. 

These are the requirements of a great basketball player, according to Dwane Casey. The Detroit Pistons head coach revealed Tuesday that he asks players in predraft meetings if they make their beds:

OK, there's a lot to unpack here. Let's address the substance first. 

There is—and I cannot stress this enough—absolutely no correlation between bed-making and success on the basketball court. It is also not even a great commentary on a person's organizational skills; bed-making is more of a regimen than a sign of organization.

Speaking in Casey's favor, there are studies that say people who make their beds tend to lead more active and eat a healthier diet. (The same study also says bed-makers tend to believe in ghosts and sleepwalk so, you know, take the good with the bad.)

On the other hand, asking the question of the prospects and dinging them if they don't make their bed feels militaristic. The vast majority of these players are about to be very rich; many of them will likely have a person in their homes who takes care of these types of tasks.

That said, if the Pistons find a prospect who can fit a folded sheet in under 30 minutes, Cade Cunningham better look out. His spot as the No. 1 pick might be in jeopardy. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly "definitely looking into" a trade with the Detroit Pistons to acquire the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported Thursday the Cavs would select Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham if they do pull off a blockbuster deal with Detroit.

Cleveland owns the No. 3 pick in the draft, which is scheduled for July 29, and that would almost certainly be the basis for any trade. The Cavaliers would also likely have to include a future first-round pick and another draft asset or player, per Fedor.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported Wednesday the Cavs are one of four teams, along with the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder, who've been “making overtures” to Detroit about the cost of moving up to No. 1.

The asking price could rise if all four teams remain involved to create a bidding war for the top spot.

Cunningham would be a perfect fit on the wing in Cleveland. He'd slide in alongside Isaac Okoro, with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland in the backcourt and Jarrett Allen at center. Allen would be the oldest player in that lineup at 23.

The presumptive No. 1 pick averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 threes and 1.6 steals while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc in 27 games for Oklahoma State during his only college season.

Moving up to grab Cunningham would be a bold move by Cavs general manager Koby Altman, who's starting to come under fire for the franchise's sluggish rebuild.

"I think it really positions us well," Altman told reporters after landing third in the draft lottery. "When we started this a few years back, we talked about building through the draft and creating sustainable success. There's some real game-changers at the top of this draft, but [it] also puts us in position to really capitalize on opportunities throughout the landscape of the NBA."

If Cleveland ultimately stands pat, it should still get an instant-impact prospect in Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs or G League guard Jalen Green. USC center Evan Mobley rounds out the likely top-four selections, but he isn't an ideal fit given the structure of the team's roster.

The key question for the Cavs' front office will be whether the difference between Cunningham and either Suggs or Green is enough to warrant giving up multiple high-end assets to trade up.

While some NBA prospects might fear joining a struggling franchise, Cade Cunningham would reportedly love the chance to join the Detroit Pistons, who own the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft on July 29.

"I would put Cunningham as the overwhelming favorite to end up in Detroit at that spot still, which, by the way, I've been told he would be very excited about," ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported Wednesday.

Cunningham has been penciled in as the top pick for months, although Givony noted the Pistons are also considering other players, including Jalen Green and Evan Mobley. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder are among the teams looking to trade up to No. 1.

If the Pistons do keep the pick, Cunningham would be a quality option based on what he showed during his lone season at Oklahoma State.

The guard averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on his way to being named a consensus first-team All-American. He also shot 40 percent from three-point range while showing the ability to create looks for himself and others.

He was a clear go-to option for a team that earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, the men's highest seed since 2004-05.

At 6'8", Cunningham can be a mismatch against smaller guards with the ability to either run an offense or play off-ball.

The Pistons are looking for any infusion of talent after finishing 20-52 as the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

Jerami Grant and Saddiq Bey could be quality contributors in the frontcourt, but the backcourt needs a lot of help after a quiet first year from Killian Hayes.

Cunningham could be an immediate star in Detroit and have almost free rein offensively, just like in previous levels of his basketball career. Though it might take him more time to find team success, the landing spot would be nearly perfect from an individual perspective.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly all "making overtures" to the Detroit Pistons about the cost of trading for the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported Wednesday the talks are at an "early stage," but he noted the Pistons will be "active in exploring the possibility of trading down" heading toward the July 29 event.

Detroit general manager Troy Weaver said he was "ecstatic" about winning the draft lottery last month and explained they hadn't narrowed down the top prospect on their board despite Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham being the presumptive top choice.

"There's about four or five of 'em I felt that way about," Weaver told reporters. "Now we're No. 1, so we get to pick the best one we see fit to move us forward. That's the goal. Whoever we pick, that's the No. 1 goal—to continue to help us restore the Pistons and build this franchise back to where it once was."

He also confirmed a potential trade down would be part of the decision-making process.

"Yes, that's an option," Weaver said.

If the Pistons are intrigued by a handful of prospects atop the class, there's certainly a case to make for trading down and acquiring as many extra assets as possible while they try to rebuild a roster that struggled en route to a 20-52 record this season.

Among the teams linked to a possible deal, the Rockets (No. 2) and Cavs (No. 3) are close behind in the order and would still give Detroit an opportunity to select from the class' mostly consensus top four—USC center Evan Mobley, Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs and G League guard Jalen Green.

The Thunder (No. 6) and Pelicans (No. 10) would likely have to include some young impact players or a large cache of future assets in order to jump all the way to the No. 1 spot. OKC also owns Nos. 16 and 18 in this year's first round.

That said, landing a true franchise cornerstone like Cunningham may be too good to pass up for Detroit in the end. Givony called him the "overwhelming favorite" to end up with the Pistons despite the team's interest in Mobley and Green.

The 6'8", 220-pound guard is an NBA-ready talent who averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 threes and 1.6 steals while shooting 40.0 percent from beyond the arc in his only college season.

It's hard to imagine the Pistons passing on the Oklahoma State standout unless the offer includes another top-five pick in this year's draft and a king's ransom of other assets to seriously jump-start their rebuild.

New Orleans Pelicans wing Josh Hart apparently isn't interested in a move to the Detroit Pistons.

In response to a fan tweeting a Photoshopped picture of him in a Pistons uniform, Hart tweeted, "Na."

Hart is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason and could be on the move after two seasons with the Pels.

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported June 11 that Hart "would like a fresh start" rather than returning to New Orleans next season.

After spending the first two years of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, the former Villanova standout was traded to the Pelicans as part of the deal that sent Anthony Davis to L.A.

Hart averaged a career-high 10.1 points and 1.9 three-pointers made in 2019-20 while also recording 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game and shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Injuries limited Hart to 47 games this season, but he was a useful player when healthy. His scoring dropped off a bit to 9.2 points and 1.3 three-pointers made per contest, but he also set new career highs with 8.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

Hart shot better from the floor at 43.9 percent, but his 32.6 percent accuracy from deep was a career worst.

Still just 26, the 2017 first-round pick may still have some untapped potential that could be unlocked elsewhere.

The Pistons are coming off a 20-52 season and have made the playoffs just twice in the past 12 seasons, but things are looking up.

After winning the 2021 NBA draft lottery, the Pistons will have the chance to add an elite prospect to their roster, such as Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham.

If he were interested in the move, Hart would join an up-and-coming group of players that includes Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Hamidou Diallo, Isaiah Stewart and Killian Hayes.

If Hart is out on going to a Pistons team that could make major strides next season, perhaps a homecoming of sorts for the Silver Spring, Maryland, native with the Washington Wizards would appeal. Another option could be the team that plays in the city where he attended college, the Philadelphia 76ers.

After winning the 2021 NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night, the Detroit Pistons are open to trading the No. 1 overall pick. 

According to Rod Beard of the Detroit News, Pistons general manager Troy Weaver said Wednesday that trading the top pick is "an option."

Per The Athletic's James Edwards III, Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham is the likely pick for Detroit if it stands pat, although G League Ignite guard Jalen Green and USC center Evan Mobley are under "strong consideration" by the Pistons as well.

Cunningham was considered the odds-on favorite to go first overall in the 2021 draft throughout the 2020-21 season, and he did little to change that perception.

In 27 games for the Cowboys, Cunningham averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals, while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc.

The 6'8" native of Arlington, Texas, showed off his versatility and ability to impact games as a scorer and distributor from the point guard position, making him a natural fit for the NBA.

Detroit selected point guard Killian Hayes with the No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft, but he has a long way to go offensively after averaging just 6.8 points per game as a rookie and shooting only 35.3 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from beyond the arc.

If the Pistons want someone who is more of a complement to Hayes than a potential replacement, Green might make more sense as the pick.

The talented shooting guard was among the best players in the G League this past season, averaging 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals per game in 15 contests, while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from deep.

Selecting Mobley would add to a stable of bigs that already includes Isaiah Stewart, Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee.

Mobley was dominant during his one season at USC, as the 7-footer put up 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. He also shot 57.8 percent from the field.

If the Pistons do trade out of the No. 1 slot, they would likely be trading the pick to someone who wants Cunningham. Detroit would then perhaps put itself in position to take Green or Mobley.

The last time the No. 1 overall pick was traded was in 2017 when the Boston Celtics traded down from first to third with the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly took guard Markelle Fultz, while Boston selected forward Jayson Tatum.

Fultz lasted two injury-plagued seasons with the Sixers before getting traded to the Orlando Magic, while Tatum is a two-time All-Star, a member of the 2021 United States Olympic team and one of the best young forwards in the sport.

There is enough talent at the top of the draft for Detroit to consider trading down, although doing so and watching Cunningham become an elite guard would be a tough pill to swallow for a team with just two playoff appearances and no series wins over the past 13 seasons.

After securing the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft during Tuesday's lottery, the Detroit Pistons have a franchise-changing decision to make with three players reportedly generating serious interest.  

Per The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green are both on Detroit's radar at this stage of the predraft process. 

James Edwards III of The Athletic added USC forward Evan Mobley is also "in strong consideration" for the Pistons. 

Vecenie did note that Cunningham is "by far the most likely pick" for the Pistons, but he heard from multiple sources that the team is "thought to be fans" of Green's potential. 

Cunningham is the consensus No. 1 overall player in this year's class. He was named Big 12 Player of the Year and a first-team All-American during his only season at Oklahoma State. The 19-year-old averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and shot 40 percent from three-point range in 27 appearances last season. 

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman has Cunningham ranked as the best player in the 2021 draft on his most recent big board. Green and Evan Mobley "remain interchangeable at No. 2 and No. 3."

Green is something of an unknown to casual fans because he bypassed college basketball to play for the G League Ignite as part of the NBA G League's developmental program. The 6'6" combo guard was ranked as the second-best player in the 2020 college recruiting class by 247Sports composite rankings. 

In 15 games with the Ignite, Green averaged 17.9 points on 46.1 percent shooting (36.5 percent from three) and 4.1 rebounds per contest. 

Mobley was a standout for the Trojans during the 2020-21 season. He averaged 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in 33 starts. The seven-footer became the first player since Anthony Davis at the University of Kentucky in 2011-12 to win his conference's Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards. 

The Pistons should be doing their due diligence on every top prospect in this class before making a final decision. They don't have to make the actual pick until July 29, so there's no rush to settle on anything at this point. 

Projected No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham will only visit the Detroit Pistons ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft after the franchise won Tuesday's draft lottery, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Cunningham is coming off a stellar freshman season at Oklahoma State where the guard averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field. He's listed as the best player available in the draft by both B/R's Jonathan Wasserman and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.

Cunningham was one of a number of top prospects to skip this week's draft combine in Chicago as he continues to prep behind closed doors. Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Chris Duarte also decided to forgo the combine despite scouts pegging them as likely lottery picks.

At 6'8", 220 pounds, Cunningham can be a franchise-changing selection for a Detroit club that hasn't made the postseason since 2019. Each of the Pistons' past three playoff runs ended in first-round sweeps (Milwaukee Bucks in 2019, Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, Cleveland in 2009).

The Pistons only have two No. 1 overall selections in team history, having picked Jimmy Walker out of Providence in 1967 and Bob Lanier of St. Bonaventure in 1970. The club has picked No. 2 overall on six occasions, most recently taking Darko Milicic in 2003.

Assuming the interviews and predraft process go well for both Cunningham and Detroit, the Texas native would highlight a rebuilding roster already featuring potential stars in Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Sekou Doumbouya and Josh Jackson.

The Detroit Pistons announced they are hiring John Beilein as a senior advisor/player development on Wednesday.

"There is nothing more important to our franchise right now than the growth and development of our players," Pistons governor Tom Gores said. "Having spent time with John, we all know he is one of the best teachers in the game of basketball at any level. Dwane's decision and desire to bring him on board underscores our commitment to helping this young Pistons team maximize its potential. John will be a real asset to the organization and we are fortunate to have him join us."

Beilein is returning to the NBA after his stint as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers ended abruptly in February 2020.

He signed a five-year deal to become the Cavs' coach before the 2019-20 season and failed to make it past the All-Star break. Cleveland had the Eastern Conference's worst record (14-40), and its coach appeared ill-suited for the pro level.

Most notably, the 68-year-old got in hot water when he said his players had improved and weren't playing like "a bunch of thugs"; he apologized for the comment, saying he meant to say "slugs."

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported that Beilein's departure was inevitable:

"Friends and associates of Beilein have described him as unhappy -- even miserable -- with the move to the Cavaliers. The losing that comes with a rebuild, as well as several skirmishes in public and private with players, has played a part in the rapid deterioration, sources said. ...

"Beilein has also dealt with some personal and family turmoil, as his son Patrick was dismissed before the start of his first season as head coach at Niagra University. Personal issues were cited."

According to Wojnarowski, Beilein walked away with a portion of his outstanding salary for the 2019-20 season. The fact that he was willing to leave the remainder of his contract on the table spoke to how much he was looking to ponder his next step.

There's no question Beilein's Cavs spell was an unmitigated disaster. However, the success he enjoyed at the collegiate level at West Virginia and Michigan meant he'd land on his feet when he was ready to get back to the game.

Beilein had a 571-325 overall college record. He turned West Virginia around, guiding the Mountaineers to the Elite Eight in 2005, and then he returned Michigan to heights the Wolverines hadn't enjoyed since the Fab Five era. Michigan made the Final Four in 2013 and 2018, finishing runner-up to Villanova in the second of those trips.

Under Beilein's watch, the Wolverines were often better than the sum of their parts. They didn't have a revolving door of elite 5-star recruits coming through Ann Arbor every year.

Caris LeVert was the No. 239 player in the 2012 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Trey Burke ranked 93rd nationally in 2011, and Moritz Wagner was 119th in 2015. Those three players grew into first-round draft picks.

He will now look to lead a turnaround for the Pistons, who were an ugly 20-52 during the 2020-21 campaign and haven't won a playoff series since they reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.

The Detroit Pistons have reportedly hired former Michigan Wolverines and Cleveland Cavaliers basketball coach John Beilein to the role of Senior Advisor Player Development, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Stein added that Beilein was a "frequent presence at Pistons games this season."

Beilein, 68, most famously coached the Michigan men's basketball team between 2007-19, leading the Wolverines to nine NCAA tournament appearances, two regular season Big Ten titles, two Big Ten conference titles and two Final Four appearances. 

Previously he also coached Canisius (1992-97), Richmond (1997-02) and West Virginia (2002-07). In his college coaching career he went 571-325. 

In the 2019-20 season he made the jump to the Cleveland Cavaliers, though things went sour quickly, as he coached just 54 games (14-40) before resigning.  

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that Beilein "struggled to connect with NBA players" and that the "plight of some previous coaches who made the leap to the NBA also befell Beilein: players quickly tuning him out with his penchant for screaming, and believing that Beilein was treating them as young, college athletes, not as professionals."

In Detroit, he'll join a young Pistons team building around players like Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes and Sekou Doumbouya.

The Pistons also have a 14 percent chance of landing the top overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft and a 52.1 percent chance of holding a top-four pick, a very valuable commodity in a year with a group of five players (Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Kuminga, in no particular order) considered to be the cream of the crop.