Ku Khahil here, the host of the daily Locked On Pistons podcast, with your daily Locked On Pistons newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pistons and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Pistons’ Surprising Success: Will Trajan Langdon Make an Aggressive Trade?
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives past Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena.
| Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons have been exceeding expectations this season, even surpassing what Trajan Langdon anticipated. At 20-19 and just one game back from the sixth seed, the team’s performance has been nothing short of impressive. This unexpected success has led to speculation about whether Langdon will reevaluate his plans and potentially make a more aggressive move as the trade deadline approaches.
The Pistons’ top-13 protected pick this year is likely to be conveyed, given their current trajectory. While this might seem like a setback, it could actually open up more opportunities for the team. If Detroit loses this pick, they’ll be free from pick protections in future years, allowing for more flexibility in trades. This newfound freedom could enable the Pistons to package multiple first-round picks in potential deals, something they haven’t been able to do due to existing protections.
Cade Cunningham’s stellar play has been a driving force behind the team’s success. His performance has not only put him in the All-Star conversation but has some even discussing potential All-NBA consideration. Cunningham’s growth throughout the season has been remarkable, consistently improving his game and reducing turnovers as the year progresses.
The absence of Jaden Ivey due to injury was expected to be a significant blow, but the team has rallied. Since Ivey’s injury on January 1st, the Pistons have gone 6-1, with Cunningham stepping up his game even further. Over the last five games, he’s averaging 28 points, 9.6 assists, and 6.6 rebounds on impressive shooting splits.
Tobias Harris has also answered the call in Ivey’s absence. After a disappointing start to the season, Harris has elevated his game significantly since January 1st. He’s averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 56% from the field and 50% from three-point range. His timely buckets and improved play have been crucial to the Pistons’ recent success.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ surprising season and potential trade deadline moves, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
• Malik Beasley’s record-breaking three-point shooting
• Tim Hardaway Jr.'s impact on recent wins
• The possibility of Cade Cunningham making an All-NBA team
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Trade Bleacher Report looks at one trade each team should make. So who should the Pistons target?
Preview The Pistons head to New York to take on the Knicks tonight at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham vs Anthony Edwards: A scoring duel Can the Detroit Pistons make a surprising playoff push this season? With a recent three-game winning streak, including victories over the Charlotte Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Pistons are turning heads in the NBA. Cade Cunningham’s explosive 40-point performance against Minnesota and Ausar Thompson’s defensive prowess reshaped the team’s dynamics. The episode explores how these standout performances and Ron Holland’s contributions off the bench are boosting the Pistons’ playoff prospects.
What A Time! Detroit Pistons Get Fourth Straight Win After Defeating The Portland TrailBlazers Detroit Pistons Triumph: A New Era in Detroit Sports? With their recent victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, the Detroit Pistons have brought their record to an impressive 18-18. Could this be the start of a new chapter for the Pistons and Detroit sports?
Join host Ku Khahil as he breaks down the game, spotlighting Cade Cunningham’s standout performance and the strategic shifts in the Pistons’ defense. Discover how veteran players like THJ and Malik Beasley are shaping the team’s success.
Detroit Pistons Win Fifth Straight Game, Get Above .500 After Defeating The Brooklyn Nets! Can the Detroit Pistons maintain their momentum and secure a playoff spot in the NBA? With a stunning five-game winning streak, the Pistons, led by standout performances from Simone Fontechio and Marcus Sasser, are making waves in the Eastern Conference.
Explore how the Pistons’ recent victory over the Brooklyn Nets has reshaped their playoff prospects. The host breaks down the team’s evolving strategy, highlighting key players like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Discover the potential impact of upcoming roster decisions and trade deadline strategies on the Pistons’ path to success
