30. Detroit Pistons
Who’s New: Cade Cunningham, Hamidou Diallo, Luka Garza, Trey Lyles, Kelly Olynyk
Projected Starting Five: Killian Hayes-Cade Cunningham-Saddiq Bey-Jerami Grant-Isaiah Stewart
The Cade Cunningham era has now officially begun in Detroit. The Pistons have been starved for a playmaker with star potential, and that’s exactly that Cunningham is. He won’t wow you with athleticism or suddenness. However, he’s essentially rock-solid in every single aspect of the game. It’s this type of stability the franchise desperately needs.
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29. Orlando Magic
Who’s New: Jalen Suggs, Ignas Brazdeikis, Mo Wagner, Franz Wagner, Robin Lopez
Projected Starting Five: Jalen Suggs-Gary Harris-Chuma Okeke-Jonathan Isaac-Wendell Carter Jr.
If the Summer League is any indication, the Magic may have gotten a major steal with Jalen Suggs. The Gonzaga guard had been rumored to be all but a lock at No. 4 to the Raptors. When Toronto took Scottie Barnes, the Magic gleefully scooped Suggs up. Based upon the injury history/volatility of Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz, Suggs was a perfect fit. He’s been dominant during Summer League play, and looks to already be the team’s best player.
The youth movement has officially been ushered in. There are a few questions to ask — primarily as it pertains to Orlando’s frontcourt. Is Wendell Carter Jr. actually good? Can Mo Bamba be an asset — whether on the court or in a trade? Can Jonathan Isaac stay healthy? Will top-10 pick Franz Wagner usurp a starting spot from former first-rounder Chuma Okeke? There are a lot of bodies on this team, with a real lack of identity at this point.
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