Detroit Pistons

Pistons choose to trade Duren rather than pay him a max contract after his playoff performance and with the cap constraints it would put on them. Detroit lands Trey Murphy as their new SF while adding Jalen Smith as a backup C along with Tre Jones as a solid backup PG while using the NTMLE to sign John Collins as the new PF. Detroit brings back Tobias and Javonte too. Detroit keeps its depth as a major positive while adding more offensive firepower and more maneuverable contracts to be able to make a big splash when the time is right.

PG- Cade, Jenkins/Jones

SG- Ausar, Green, Lanier

SF- Murphy, Robinson, Rookie (C. Carr)

PF- Collins, Tobias, T. Smith

C- Stewart, J. Smith/Reed

Chicago Bulls Chicago goes an adds its Center for the next decade. They also go and give Peyton Watson $110M over 4 years and are very well positioned to make one final big splash to their roster. Chicago pays a few younger players with the hope that their window opens in the next 2-3 years allowing this new young core of Giddey, Buzelis, Watson, and Duren to mesh as they add a lottery pick and additional free agents to the mix as well.

NOP The pelicans finally go in on the rebuild. They have two promising young players in Fears and Queen though they have a bunch of solid fringe all stars/starters that fill out their roster. I would lean in to the tank and get significantly younger while trying to get as many assets as possible for Zion, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, and Herb Jones. They land Ron Holland plus THREE 1sts for Trey Murphy. If New Orleans plays their cards right, they could create a treasure chest of picks and take a chance on a few high upside prospects to significantly turn this thing around (for good) in the next 3-5 years. Right now, the are stuck in a limbo phase and they could use a few drastic moves to start to build something sustainable.