Top-Three Seed Finish For Detroit Pistons? 2K26 Simulation Has Pistons As Contenders In The East!

Top-Three Seed Finish For Detroit Pistons? 2K26 Simulation Has Pistons As Contenders In The East!

2K believes the Detroit Pistons will finish at the top three seed in the Eastern Conference this year. Is that realistic outcome? We’ll break it down in today’s episode of Locked on Pistons podcast. Let’s go. You are Locked on Pistons, your daily Detroit Pistons podcast, part of the Locked Onet. Your team every day. What’s the deal? Welcome back to another episode of the Locked On Pistons podcast. Per usual, I am your host Cougill. I’ve been covering the Detroit Pistons for the last four years with the Lockdown Network being credential media member over the last three years. I appreciate all of you guys who make locked on Pistons your first listen every single day. We are free and available on all your podcast platforms. If you haven’t already, head to the YouTube channel at Lockdown Pistons. Hit that subscribe button or leave us a fivestar review on whatever podcast platform you’re listening to the Sun. That’s another great way to support the podcast. And today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season starts tonight when I’m recording this. might get posted on Friday. So, might actually not be tonight. But when we’re recording this, Thursday Night Football, we started Philadelphia verse the Dallas Cowboys. I think Philly is gonna take that win. And I need Jaylen Herz to go crazy. I have him starting my fantasy team. But new customers can bet just $5 with FanDuel. And if your bet wins, you’ll get $300 in bonus bets. Download the FanDuel app at fanduel.com to get started. Today, we are joined by friend of the podcast, Zar at Bullyball Media. We’ll be discussing a 2K simulation that Locked On did where the Pistons finished the top three seed. they make a few trades mid-season. We’ll talk about whether that’s actually possible in real life and then also we’ll give an update on Malik Beasley’s status. We got a minor update a few days ago. We’ll discuss it as well. But Zar, how are you doing, man? Let everyone know what you’ve been doing just real quickly before we get into the podcast. I I need you to tell everybody what you’ve been doing the last few weeks. Well, uh Cat is out the bag. Yeah, I I started I started doing pro wrestling training about uh a week ago actually and it’s at Grind Time Pro Wrestling. Shout out to Grind Time. Um it’s Truth Martini, Alex Shel of the Motor City Machine Guns. Um and Darren Mccardi, uh self-explanatory. um they all work to to um keep this keep this place going and uh train pro wrestlers and everything like that. And it’s super cool. I um I randomly I was just like I came back from Japan in late July, almost August, and I was like I’m I’m gonna be so for real with you guys. The job market is cooked. It’s just cooked. And I was just like, look, at this point, like, I’m going to give this a shot because I’ve always loved pro wrestling. That’s like basketball and pro wrestling, music, and movies. Those were always my things. Um, you know, just like above me is is is the proof. And I was like, if I’m ever going to give this a shot, why not now? you know, like I just graduated uh from MSU and I did I did the traditional thing and I’m still doing everything else I’m doing and it allows me to like continue to have a normal life while still training like not a normal person. So, it’s super cool. Honestly, like it’s it’s it’s uh it’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of dedication. I haven’t had like something fun in terms of food in like two three weeks. Uh but it’s cool. I’m I’m really enjoying it. Yeah, we’re wishing you the best of luck. I hope to see you wrestling back in LCA in a few years. We’ll see what happens. All right, let’s get into this 2K simulation. So, like I said, Locked On had a 2K simulation where they sim through the entire season and we’re going to see what the results were and then we’re going to talk about them after. We’re going to do that today. So, what we’re going to start off with is where the Pistons finished in the Eastern Conference after one full season of simulation. The Pistons finished as the third seed in the Eastern Conference and made it to the playoffs obviously against first first round series was against the Boston Celtics as the six seed. Now Zar, if I just told you that was the outcome before revealing what the outcome was in the playoffs, if that was the outcome of this season, how successful of a year do you think that would be? Extremely. I mean like being a top three seed in the Eastern Conference. Granted, the Eastern Conference is not exactly even where it was this past year, uh, is still a huge, huge improvement. And for a team that didn’t necessarily take much of a big swing this off season, having internal development take you that far, uh, would really speak volumes to the potential that this young core has. Um, and also like the quality of the signings that they made this past summer that, you know, were certainly scrutinized by by some. Um, and I think it it goes to show that this is a foundation for a team that can genuinely be a contender in the Eastern Conference. So, these were the numbers of the young guys before I revealed what happened in the first round. Uh, K Cunningham the following season or this year coming up. Um, averaged 28 points a game, 8.4 assists, 5.9 rebounds. He shot 56% from the floor. I like this would be absolutely tremendous. Uh, 56% from the floor, 45% from three. That’s what That’s what 2K had. Kay turned into the GOAT. Yeah. He turned into like the greatest of all time. So then you got Jade Ivy who averaged 20 points a game. Uh 6.9 assists a game and he shot 53% of the floor and 38% from three. And then you had Assar Thompson who made all defensive first team along with his brother. The rest of the first team was Giannis Victor Wimpanyama Amenar and Chad Omrren. So you get big steps from all the young guys. You get K taking a big step forward. You had Jane Ivy taking a step forward. You had Assar Thompson securing himself as one of the best defenders in the league. And that got the Pistons to a first round appearance in the first round. Sadly, they lost in seven to the Boston Celtics in the first round. So, Zar, if the Pistons were to have made the playoffs with all these improvements, they’re a top three seed in the East and they go down in seven games in the first round, would you still consider that a success? Yeah. I I mean it’s it’s hard not to like they’re such a young team where if if that hypothetical first of all, you didn’t have anything to do with this with the simulation. You didn’t you didn’t play. Okay. I I just need to know you didn’t cheese the settings or something. No, no, no, no, no. Settings, no game sliders, no nothing. Um, but yeah, no, I mean I regardless, you know, winning in seven means you at least won a singular game at home, which is an improvement on the last what, 20 years almost. Um, it’s it’s it’s still an improvement. Obviously, it would be disappointing to lose in the first round again. Uh, especially being in the inverse where you’re the third seed uh instead of being the six seed. But I I still it would be hard to say that’s a failure of a season when you know you have that much internal development and that much growth. I feel like it just gives you the blueprint for what you need to do moving forward. Yeah, I think I think it would definitely still be a successful season. Obviously losing the first round as a three seed would be pretty tough to swallow. I think a lot of people would be then I think the following offseason people would be asking for maybe another move to happen or they’d be asking for more aggression um if that were to happen. But getting to a three seed in general would be tremendous for this team. And getting into the first round, going seven games, I think it would be tough to swallow after it happened. But give it a few weeks, I think everyone would accept that this was a major step in the right direction. Everyone would feel good about this team. Now, I want to segue to real life. Do you think this is a possible scenario where the Pistons end up as a three seed? I I think the top two seeds in the East are pretty cemented. I think it’s New York and Cleveland um as of right now, but do you think it’s possible? like do you see a future where the Pistons actually do end up as a three seed this year? Yeah, absolutely. I I mean the Eastern Conference, like let’s just be so honest, is not good this this upcoming season like in any stretch of the imagination. Uh in my eyes, their competition for a three to five seed is Orlando. Um, I might end the list there, you know, like I I I don’t see I I I don’t see much competition um in the in the top five of the Eastern Conference. Will there be teams that maybe, you know, uh find themselves in a playoff position that didn’t last season thinking towards Toronto or Charlotte? Sure. Um but I I I don’t know what how much I expect from Boston this year. I think maybe succeeded is is is realistic. I could see them kind of in the playin range as well. I think the best thing for them honestly would be just completely bottoming out for the season and getting a high draft pick, but that’s neither here nor there. Um to me, I think the biggest concern I had for this season was the lack of kind of direction it seemed like Trajan took in the offseason. It seemed like it was very much a standing pat while still changing out pieces. Granted, Malik Beasley, and we’ll probably get into this, may be coming back. Um, but replacing him with Duncan Robinson and then losing Dennis for nothing, even though potentially allegedly Malik Bunk was on the table. Um, and then also losing Tim Hardaway Jr., It just these were all moves that were like okay like you brought in Carrison Duncan. Sure. And now uh you also brought in um Javvante Green and is there someone else I’m forgetting. Jane Ivy’s return. Yeah. Make sure you mention that. Everyone’s gonna bring that one up. Yeah. And but in terms of actual signings like that’s Ellen bringing back Paul Reid. Um, it’s just like it wasn’t it wasn’t necessarily a an offseason that addressed the concerns that already were there with the team as is. Um, cuz he stood Pat while still not adding to, you know, their weaknesses. And to me, their weakness was at the power forward position. Um, having that steep drop off whenever Tobias checked out or games where he was injured. I I really felt like that was something they needed to address and they didn’t really do that. My opinion on this team changes drastically if Malik Beasley returns because in my eyes you make up for your lack of depth at the four with just elite shooting around Cade. Um because obviously Duncan Robinson is an elite shooter, but adding Malik Beasley who’s coming off of one of the greatest three-point seasons, three-point shooting seasons of all time, that drastically changes things for me where now I can say at least this team has like a solid identity offensively and then also um fills their weaknesses by strengthening other things. Yeah, I I think that I I think that it’s certainly possible, but it would all it would have to happen. The only way it could happen is if what we just outlined, like 2K said happened, that would have to be what happens. Like Kade would have to jump into a top 10 discussions in the NBA, become Uber efficient, become a great uh he’s already a great player, but become like the next step of great player. Jay and I would have to take this step that everyone believes that he can take and remain efficient um or even get more efficient and Assar Thompson would have to realize his potential this year. All of that would have to happen, I think, for them to be able to make this third seed because I do believe right now my betting favorite for third seed is Orlando. I really like what they’ve done. They had a lot of injuries last year. I think they’re going to be healthier this year. I’m going to take Orlando at the three. But if the Pistons get improvements from Cade and get improvements from Jane Ivy and get improvements from Assar Thompson and these veterans stabilize, you know, the spots that TJ and Malik also stabilized last year, then yeah, it’s certainly possible. But like we’ve said many times in the podcast over the last few months, I kind of feel like I’m repeating myself is that you can’t really predict internal development. You just kind of have to hope for it. So it’s hard for me to sit here and say it’s going to happen. But if they do get that internal development from Kade, Jay Ivy, Assar, Duran, all of them take a step forward like this simulation had, then certainly they can make a top four, top three seed push in the Eastern Conference, especially if they have a guy who’s an MVP type player and Kun 100% from the field like 2K, like what is it, 56% of the field. Like if that happens, then yeah, I mean, we’ll see what happens. But coming up, I want to discuss two trades. I didn’t mention this. two trades the Pistons made mid-season that might have helped them reach the third seed. We’ll discuss what those trades are and whether we could potentially see real life trades at the deadline this upcoming season. We’ll discuss it coming up. Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NFL season is almost here in FanDuel. And again, like I said, it might have already started by the time I post this episode. Philadelphia Eagles verse the Dallas Cowboys for Thursday night football. Hoping the Eagles and Jaylen Herz go crazy cuz I have them on my fantasy team. FanDuel is making sure you’re ready for the kickoff with a can’t miss offer. Right now, new customers, you can bet just $5. And if your bet wins, you’ll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. And there’s a bet that I’m looking at some odds that I’m looking at I think you guys will really like. The Detroit Lions are no longer the heavy favorites to win the NFC North after the Packers got Michael Parsons. Those odds have changed. I think the Lions will still win the division, but they have better odds for you to take now. So, I would still take Lions to win the division. I think you guys should go check it out. I don’t think Green Bay will overtake them, but we’ll see what happens. That’s the kind of thing you can do over at FanDuel. I’ve been using it for years. Super self-explanatory, super easy to use, but most importantly, super fun to use. So, if you’re ready to play, download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com to get started. That’s fuel.com to download the FanDuel app and place your first $5 bet wins. You’ll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app with FanDuel. So, I want to thank you guys again. Wing Locked on Pistons, your first listen every single day. We are free and available on all your podcast platforms. If you haven’t already, head to the YouTube channel at Locked OnPistons. Hit that subscribe button or leave us a fivestar review on whatever podcast platform you’re listening to us on. That’s another great way to support the podcast. So, now we’re going to move into Zar, you your camera is gone. You good? Yeah. I don’t know what was going on there. Yeah, we were talking We were talking to a gray screen for a minute. But, uh, all right. So, in this simulation, I did not bring up that midway through the year, the Pistons made two trades. I’m going to tell you what these two trades were. And now, in this simulation, actually, what’s even more interesting, the Pistons were the only team to make a trade at the deadline, and they made two of them in this in the entire league in this simulator. It was pretty interesting. Um, but I’m going to tell you guys the two trades. We’ll talk about whether we could see the Pistons making this these two type of trades. and then we’ll segue into if we think the Pistons will be making deals at the deadline in real life. So, the two trades were first one was involving the Philadelphia 76ers. Z, do you have any idea? I bring up the Sixers. Do you have a good guess at what you think they did? Well, just knowing 2K Sims and doing an absurd amount of them. I’m just going to go ahead and assume either the Sixers offered Paul George uh for like Tobias and a second round pick or something or I would assume it was something like is Kelly Ubé still on the Sixers? I believe so. Okay. Well, yeah, I was going to say him him and uh a first round pick for like Jaden Ivy would probably like be something that 2K throws out there. So, the TR you were right with the first one. The first one was actually really close. It was Paul George and Kyle Larry for Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson. The Pistons made that trade. That was the first trade they made. So, they swapped out Tobias and Duncan Robinson. They bring in Paul George and they bring in Kyle Larry to shore up the backup point guard position. They try to get Kate I guess another cold star with Paul George. Uh, you know, we’ll even though Paul George was really not very good this past year, but they made that trade. The next trade they made, this one you’re going to be really upset about. You’re gonna be really upset. And I think everyone Oh, oh, let me let me let me take a guess here. Go ahead. Is it Isaiah Stewart for like some straight just something that would never happen in real life? Yes. Yes. It’s size is and the Pistons 2026 first round pick lottery protected for to the Rockets for the Nets 2027 first round pick and Steven Adams. That’s the that’s the second trade they made. Interesting. Uh so I guess the I guess the point of it is to like they get a really good first round pick from the Nets in 2027. I guess in exchange for a lottery protected first. I guess that that’s the only motivation I can see for why they would, you know, what this even does. Maybe Stephen Adams turned into a superstar in this league or something and it was, you know, but that’s the two trades. I will say, yeah, I will say, and this is nothing to do with with what we’re about to talk about in terms of 2K trades, that those are not some of the worst ones I’ve ever heard. Like these sound like these sound like some something that like they they use like some chat GBT type stuff where they just like threw some chomps tweets in there cuz I never heard of them like trading for protect a protected first for another team’s first, you know, like that stuff usually doesn’t happen. It’s it’s like a first for like Kelly Olen for some reason, you know, like so. Okay, that’s shout out to 2K on that one. No, it’s not as bad. No. Yeah, they’re for sure not as bad as I’ve seen before. But I’ll ask you this before we move into whether we think they could make some trades in real life. How do you feel about these two trades? Obviously, it must have led to them being a top. If they were to make these two trades, what are your reactions immediately after? First one, um I was about to say something that would probably get me in trouble. Uh I was um uh the words crackpipe were were on the tip of my tongue. Um um yeah. Uh, first one something had like there’s a gas leak in the Pistons front office or something like I don’t know what what’s going on in there but like something has gone wrong deeply to the point where it needs like federal investigation uh if a trade like that happens because taking on Paul George and Kyle Lowry um while giving up Tobias and Duncan who are both potentially expirings um certainly is interesting. Paul George’s contract, by the way, is 51 this year, 54 the next year, and player after for 57 the next year, and he’s going to be 35, 36, 37 years old. Yeah. Or some it’s either a gas leak, um drugs, or or or uh Daryl my got on the phone with like the sound of a pistol loading. And it’s just it’s getting real it’s getting real serious in those trade negotiations. Uh because it’s not it won’t be about basketball at that point because there’s just no way that that ever happens. Yeah. So this what about the Stew one? For the Stew one, I I personally would think that’s a hor it’s a horrible idea in almost any Isaiah Stewart trade. That being said, getting pretty good rim protector, rebounder, and also a 2027 first round pick would be great. Um, also ironic in this sense that Stu would go back to the team that technically we traded for the draft rights um from in in Houston back in 2020. Uh, so trading a protected first back to Houston again would be really funny. That would be a really funny way to go about it. And Isaiah Stewart, um, obviously any Isaiah Stewart trade I think is a bad idea, but I don’t think it’s necessarily as bad as the the Tobias Harris uh, Paul George swap. Yeah, I agree with you. The Paul George one I would have unless Paul George has returned to superstardom and this 2K s him for some reason like that would be that would be horrible. This contract is is bad. He was not good this past year and 51 54 56 player option that would just be like I I no can’t do it. Can’t do it. Especially without any picks attached to it. Like you’re not even taking picks on to take on that contract. I couldn’t do it. Um the stew one I would not do this. I don’t think anyone in the Piston community probably would do this, but I do think this one at least makes a little bit of sense. Like you you’re getting a Brooklyn Nets first round pick in 27 for Stu, which is I think most people believe is going to be pretty valuable. Um, so you’re getting like a first round pick for Stu and and you’re also getting a really good backup center in Stephen Adams. Now Stu is younger on a good contract. I think most people believe Steu is better, but like getting a first round pick from the Nets and Stu and Stephen Adams, like I don’t think that’s like I don’t think that’s that’s oh, how dare you send this to me. I’m hanging up the phone. I’m blocking a number forever. Like I think I you can like see the sense I guess in that. And like you said, I feel like 2K’s uh AI got a little better because that that at least resembles somewhat of like what I guess I could see maybe. Um but I wouldn’t do either of these, but the Paul George one is just like the worst one of all time. But let’s move into do you think the Pistons could make a trade like this? Not for Paul George or Stephen, but do you do you think in real life at the deadline we could see the Pistons pulling a tri pulling the trigger on a trade this this season? I think it depends. Um, Traan, I really was expecting something out of this offseason in terms of trades. Granted, there were things that kind of threw threw a wrench in in in their potential plans, but I just don’t know how much he’s looking to improve via trade um in the near future just because I don’t think he seems willing to let go of any idea of potential. And I feel like this is again similar to last season where it’s a season where he wants to see how far this team can go from beginning to end. Barring like any drastic change and like them if they overperform I don’t think again they trade but if they grossly underperform then maybe that’s a conversation. Um, but if they’re right about where Trajan and you know the fan base generally expects them to be, I don’t really see them making any trades. Like I know that’s kind of been a topic amongst like articles that I’ve I’ve wrote wrote read um is just like the the fact that yes, they didn’t do anything this past offseason in terms of trades, but you know, the Pacers at the trade deadline a couple years ago got past Gossakum and you know, stuff like that where I just don’t see that really happening. Um, Traan doesn’t to me appear to be a very like aggressive general man or uh, president of basketball operations. And I just I feel like he’s someone who who really kind of believes in patience and uh, seeing his vision through. And for that, I can’t really see him going out and pushing the chips in on pretty much anything. So, there are there’s two situations or two scenarios where I could see the Pistons making a deal at the deadline. And I agree with you that if they are meeting expectations, like they’re not overly exceeding and they’re not underwhelming, if they’re just meeting the expectations he had, I think it’s likely that they just don’t make any trades. I think that’s the most likely scenario. But there’s two scenarios where I could see a trade happening and it’s the ones you outlined. If they are so if they are exceeding expectations, if they are playing much better than they thought they were they they were going to, but it’s coming in form of like Kade takes a step, Assar takes a step. Let’s say let’s just say Ivy takes a step and Duran doesn’t. He takes a step backwards. Maybe that’s when they’re like, “Okay, we’re going to keep Ivy, Kade, Assar, and we’re going to move on from Duran.” Or just reverse it. Maybe it’s Kadar, Duran, and Ivy isn’t getting to where you want him to be. he’s struggling. He didn’t take the step forward. I could see them saying, “Okay, we’re playing really well. We identified these three guys. We know which guy is not is not working out really well. If we move this guy for something else, maybe we can really do something.” That’s one scenario where I could see them making a deal. Something like that where they’re taking a step forward, but it’s because of certain players and the players you’re trying to find out answers on, you’re getting the answer of, they’re not really fitting in here. That’s scenario number one. Scenario number two is they’re severely underperforming, and it’s because these guys aren’t taking a step forward. Like if Kade is still Cade, let’s say Assara doesn’t meet expectations. He takes a step back or Ivy takes a step back. Duran takes a step back and therefore the team is like not exceed exceeding and not playing well. I think Treasure will make a decision on a few of those guys at the deadline and move on from them. But it would take like those two extremes, I think, to see them make a trade. either they’re exceeding expectations a ton and you got answering one of these guys not being, you know, part of the core or they’re really underperforming and multiple guys haven’t taken a step forward like you wanted and you got answers on them and now you need to move them. I think those are only two scenarios. If they’re meeting expectations or they’re just hovering around like maybe the fifth or fourth seed playing fine basketball, I don’t know if we see any kind of, you know, I don’t think I don’t know if we see any kind of trade happen because I agree with you. Traan said a lot about patience and and he doesn’t seem like he’s an uber aggressive aggressive guy. So, um those are the only two scenarios I could see a real deal happening. But coming up, I want to discuss with this latest Malik Beasley update we got. Is it looking like he could return to the Detroit Pistons this upcoming season? We’ll talk about it coming up. So, I want to thank you guys again. Make locked on Pistons your first listen of every single day. We are free and available on all your podcast platforms. If you haven’t already, head to the YouTube channel at Locked OnPistons. Hit that subscribe button or leave us a fivestar review on whatever podcast platform you’re listening to us on. That’s another great way to support the podcast. And I am hoping, sorry, I I am I am very much hoping that this is the final time I have to discuss a Malik Beasley update. I’m hoping this is the fin I I I’m just hoping this whether he’s signed somewhere else or whatever. I just want this to be resolved because I’m going to be real with everyone listening. I am not comfortable talking about another person’s financials all the time. This is not comfortable for me. I do not like I do not like the fact that it seems like I am pocket watching another man’s, you know, financial situation. I it’s just it’s it’s I don’t like this and I feel like I’ve talked about it now like 10 times in the last two weeks and I much would I very much would not like to do so. But we have another update with Malik Beasley and it has to be like I can’t just not talk about it because it does impact the Pistons. Um, according to some reports and his lawyer, Malik Beasley is back in Detroit. Um, I don’t want to really get into why he’s back in Detroit. Just know he’s back in Detroit into the place he lives. He’s trying to restore, I guess, some of his financial situation. So, he’s back in Detroit right now. And along with that update, we got a statement from his lawyer that says he’s that Beasley is trying to restore his good standing and that Malik loves Detroit, has family in the city, does not want to close the door on a possible reunion. He was a great Piston and he loves the city of Detroit. So, with that said, Zar, do you think we are going to see Malik Beasley back on the Detroit Pistons this year? One would sure hope so. Um, I I’m very happy that Malik is able to even be in the position to be reun having a reunion with the Detroit Pistons. Um, potentially cuz I worked with him a lot this past offseason uh or past offseason, past season, and he’s generally just good people. Um, and I it was tough to see the the situation. So, I’m glad things are being resolved. That being said, the Detroit Pistons can’t offer him at the current moment the amount of money that they were initially going to give him. Um, I believe, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s Golden State and Brooklyn that can um exceed Detroit’s offers for him currently. Yeah, those two teams and I think there’s like I think there’s like two or three other teams that still have their MLE available. Um, but no team has like outright cap space, which ties the the Nets, but yes, you are correct. Yeah. Um, so to me that that speaks to what the market is for for Malik currently. Like could he take a minimum to go play in Cleveland or New York potentially? Yes, definitely. Does he want to do that? I can’t imagine he would. I know Malik loves Detroit. Uh, Detroit really loves Malik. If you look at any comment section of any post for the Detroit Pistons since this whole thing has been cleared up, um they can’t post anything without the comments being resigned Malik. And for good reason. Like he had an incredible season. He is beloved. He has still the Savvy Sliders meal, I’m pretty sure. Um it’s just he’s he’s he’s like an actual it feels like he’s an actual Detroiter even though he grew up in Atlanta, spent time in Detroit, it feels like he’s a Detroiter. And um I’m sure he wants to get something done. It’s just ultimately up to Trajan and and the Pistons um kind of coming to that agreement as well. Yeah, I look this whole situation is very I’ve said it before, it’s very unfortunate for for Malik. If nothing at all comes of this, I would like look into I’m sure he probably can’t do anything, but like they he’s been costed like $40 million. Like he could have had $40 million in his bank account. like it’s just I feel bad for him, especially if nothing at all comes of this. Um, I really am just hoping this whole situation gets wrapped up somehow someway because I really don’t I’m I’m not enjoying talking about it. I don’t like having to talk about all these updates over and over. It’s not fun. It’s not cool. Um, I I think where we’re at right now and I I where we’re at right now, it feels like teams are still trying to figure out what exactly is going on with this investigation because like we mentioned a few episodes ago, he wasn’t completely cleared. He went from like the target to the subject, whatever that means. Um, but apparently that was enough to, you know, have teams confident that they can start talking to him. Apparently, he’s been in talks with NBA teams. My question is why hasn’t he been signed by somebody yet? So, it seems like to me that they’re still kind of a little bit hesitant to and they want to see like what, you know, what’s left, what’s going on. Like, seems like there’s momentum to something happening, but teams are still trying to figure out all the details um of what’s exactly happening. The Pistons, like you mentioned, they can offer a one-year $7 million deal. Uh other teams can offer a little bit more than him or more than the Pistons. Um a few teams have the full MLE of $14 million. Um, we’ll see if they actually have interest in him. Um, but there’s been multiple reports that Malik wants to return to Detroit. He loves the city. There’s been reports that Traan and the Pistons have kept communication open with him and that they are open to bringing him back and that’s why they’ve left this uh roster spot open. So, I would as of right now, if I had to go like lean one way, I would lean towards him probably coming back and all the, you know, the potential concerns I’ve brought up before about will there be enough minutes for him, Duncan, and Caris Levert, as I’ve said in those episodes, like you can consider all those things and then you still sign him anyways. Like, you sign him anyways. You don’t you don’t pass up on not signing him, especially to that type of deal where you then would have his rights the following off season. You don’t pass that up. you just figured all of that stuff out later. Having Malik would be fantastic with Duncan and and him on the floor with Kade, like that could be some really great spacing. I would be really interested to see it. Um, but overall my my I’m hoping this is my last take on it is that I just hope Malik gets all this cleared up, everything gets resolved, he finds a team, whether it be the Pistons or someone, and this all goes away and he’s able to kind of get his NBA career back career back started up and he’s able to, you know, have a successful on and off the court career moving forward and and all this stuff is like out the way because I this is this has been too much. I’m sure this has been too much for Pistons fans. I can’t I can’t even imagine what it’s meant for Malik. Like Malik is probably can’t, you know, who knows? But hope this all gets resolved. We’ll see if he ends up back in Detroit. Um Zar, let everybody know where they can find you, your work, and all that good stuff. Yeah. Uh let me add just one thing to the Malik thing real quick. Uh because just to show like how really loved Malik is just by the fan base generally. When I was in Japan, I went to the Jordan store and there was like this little thing where you do like a photo thing in front of a green screen, whatever. Um, and we were getting asked where we’re from. And when I said Detroit, cuz they don’t even know Michigan really generally, like when you say Detroit, they’re like, “Oh, okay.” Um, I said Detroit, they were like, “Oh, like we have a guy here who’s like a big Piston or no, not Piston fan.” I said, “Oh, he loves Detroit.” So then they bring him in and he’s like, “Oh, like Detroit? No way. Like I’m a Pistons fan. I was like, “No way.” Like I, you know, I cover the team. And he couldn’t believe it. Right. He comes back with an actual like Malik Beasley shimmy like shirt, like the shirt that they put out with him with the shimmy. That’s correct. And he’s like, he’s like, “This is my favorite player. Like he’s he’s I hope he comes back. Um I love him.” Like it was it was really cool. And it was really honestly like a super sweet moment. Um, and it goes to show just generally like how beloved he is by the fan base. So, I’m really hoping um both sides can come to agreement sometime soon. That being said, um, at Zark Xavier on everything, atreal bullyball um, on everything as well. I appreciate you having me on. I’m a bit rusty with with the podcast stuff. I haven’t done one in like probably couple couple months now. Um, I mean, you’re getting ready for theatical. You’re getting ready for You know what I’m saying? taking clothes lines from hell. Dude, I got I got slammed on my actual face yesterday. It was not fun, bro. See, you’re crazy. I Everyone in the comment section listening on the podcast, everyone, let me know. Would you be able to go through this? Like, would you be able to actually go through with having like WWE training? I would not be able to go through with actually professional wrestling training. I feel like I would walk home after the second day, broken bones, bruises, all like I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t do it. But we wish Zar the best. We wish him the the most success possible in this. And hopefully again, maybe we see him on the big screen someday. But appreciate all of you guys making Lockdown Pistons your first listen every single day. Free on all your podcast platforms. Hit that subscribe button to the YouTube channel. Leave us a fivestar review, whatever podcast platform you’re listening to us on. And until next time, I will see you guys later. Stay safe out there and peace out everybody.

Detroit Pistons shock the NBA with a 2K simulation predicting a top-three seed finish. Can virtual success translate to real-world dominance?

Host Ku Khahil and guest Zar analyze the eye-opening 2K prediction, breaking down simulated stats for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. They explore potential trades, including scenarios involving Paul George and Kyle Lowry, while discussing the Eastern Conference landscape. The conversation shifts to Malik Beasley’s possible return, examining financial implications and fan sentiment. Insights on roster moves, player development, and the Pistons’ path to contention round out this comprehensive look at Detroit’s upcoming season.

Tune in for expert analysis on the Pistons’ unexpected virtual success and how it might shape their real-world performance.

SUBSTACK: Kukhahil.substack.com

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