RealGM Basketball Wiretap

04 December 2024

• JB Bickerstaff Says Travel Woes Left Pistons Exhausted In Loss To Sixers

  J.B. Bickerstaff wasn't looking to make an excuse for why his Detroit Pistons were blown out at home by the Philadelphia 76ers. Instead, Bickerstaff offered a reason why the Pistons were off their game.

  "Our guys were exhausted. We sat on the runway last night until 2:30, 3 am, got home around 4:30 in a snowstorm," Bickerstaff said. "We just didn't have it tonight and that's fair. Today was just a rough day for them."

  Detroit played on Friday in Indiana. Due to weather in the area, the Pistons takeoff from Indianapolis was delayed. They then played Saturday at home against a Sixers team that hadn't played since Wednesday. In addition, Cade Cunningham was a late scratch for Detroit due to hip soreness.

  Bickerstaff also suggested that the NBA look at avoiding back-to-back games when a team is coming off an NBA Cup game. Many coaches have said that teams are going harder in the cup games, even in blowouts, as point differential is an important tiebreaker. The NBA avoids scheduling NBA Cup games as the second leg of a back-to-back but has no restrictions for a back-to-back game following a Cup game.

• Cade Cunningham Out Saturday Due To Left Sacroiliac Joint Sprain

  Cade Cunningham will miss the Detroit Pistons' game on Saturday against the Orlando Magic due to a left sacroiliac joint sprain.

  Cunningham suffered the injury on Thursday night against the Hornets.

  Cunningham has appeared in all 17 games of the season up until now.

• Cade Cunningham Leaves Pistons' Loss With Hip Injury

  Cade Cunningham left the Detroit Pistons' 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets due to a hip injury.

  Cunningham fell hard to the floor after getting fouled with 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

  Cunningham stayed in the game and made both free throws before eventually exiting.

  The Pistons had no update on Cunningham's status after the game.

• Tim Hardaway Jr. CAT Scan Returns Negative

  A CAT scan on Tim Hardaway Jr. returned negative on Tuesday night, reported Chris Haynes.

  Hardaway received stitches after getting elbowed in the face against the Heat.

  Hardaway is averaging 12.5 points in 28.4 minutes per game for the Pistons.

• Ausar Thompson Cleared By NBA Fitness-To-Play Panel

  Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson has been cleared by the NBA's Fitness-to-Play panel. Thompson had been working out and awaiting clearance after dealing with blood clot issues since last season.

  As a rookie, Thompson averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and nearly a block per game. His rookie season ended in mid-March due to the blood clot issue.

• Jalen Duren Leaves Game With Sprained Ankle

  Jalen Duren left the Detroit Pistons' 108-107 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday due to a sprained left ankle.

  Duren is listed as day-to-day.

  Duren, who slipped on the court early in the first quarter, stayed in the game before leaving after playing eight minutes.

  The center is averaging 9.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.

• Tyus Jones Had Interest From Nets, Spurs, Pistons, Wizards

  Tyus Jones had interest from the Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards last offseason, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.

  Jones received salary offers ranging between $8 million to $12 million per season from those teams.

  The Knicks also reportedly offered a two-year, $10 million deal.

  Jones would eventually agree to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Suns.

• Pistons Decline $4.57M Team Option On Wendell Moore Jr.

  The Detroit Pistons declined a $4.57 million team option on Wendell Moore Jr., reported Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Moore, who will become an unrestricted free agent, played the last two seasons with the Wolves.

  Moore has appeared in one game thus far this season.

• Ausar Thompson, Pistons Waiting On NBA Clearance To Return From Blood Clot

  Ausar Thompsons' rookie season with the Detroit Pistons was cut short due to a blood clot issue. Thompson has been ramping up for a return, but he and the Pistons are still awaiting clearance from the NBA and the Fitness to Play panel. Thompson missed Detroit's season opener against the Indiana Pacers.

  In 63 games as a rookie, the 6-foot-7 wing averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and nearly a block per game in 25.1 minutes. Thompson's season ended in mid-March due to the blood clot issue.

• Alondes Williams Signs Two-Way Contract With Pistons

  The Detroit Pistons have signed Alondes Williams to a Two-Way contract. Williams was recently waived by the LA Clippers.

  Williams appeared in seven games last season with the Miami Heat. Williams also averaged 21.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 38.1 minutes over 27 games in the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

  Williams, who went undrafted in 2022 out of Wake Forest, is represented by agent Dan Frank.