![]() ![]() Cunningham reportedly turned down an invitation to join the team heading off to represent the United States in the World Cup in order to stay with his rehabilitation plan to ensure he’s best equipped to stand up to the 82-game schedule. Langlois: Cunningham was the talk of Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas last week, generating headlines at sites like and The Athletic after leading the Select Team past the World Cup roster. Anyone coming for Bogdanovic better have an offer that includes someone who can approximate his contributions in addition to a future asset or two. With Cade Cunningham looking like he’s ready to hit the ground running based on the scintillating reports coming out of Team USA camp in Las Vegas, having a sidekick like Bogdanovic as a reliable scorer will give the Pistons a lot more punch in a season where they would love to take a big jump under Monty Williams. ![]() They’ve got him under contract for this season and next at a number that’s more than reasonable given the escalating salary cap. So if it seems there’s a high bar for the Pistons in a Bogdanovic trade, that’s probably because there is. If the Pistons trade him, they can’t easily replicate his contributions unless they get a similar player back – doubtful, because a team trading for Bogdanovic probably doesn’t have someone similar to him. That also makes him attractive to other teams. Langlois: Bogdanovic serves critical functions as an elite 3-point shooter who can get his own shot. Isaiah Livers would also be in the running with Bogdanovic at the other forward spot in that case. There’d be a balancing act to consider – gaining 3-point shooting at the expense of rebounding and, likely, defense in general – but it indeed bears consideration. The other possibility is that Williams isn’t comfortable with a starting unit of two big men and decides Bojan Bogdanovic is the starter at power forward. I thought Duren came out of Summer League with a leg up to be the starting center and his showing at USA Basketball camp with the Select Team, where he generated more buzz than anyone this side of Cade Cunningham, affirmed that notion. And if that’s the case, then it’s either Wiseman or Bagley as the big man with the bench unit and the runner-up in that competition is out of the rotation. But I’d say it’s less likely – and maybe far less likely – that Monty Williams fields a two-big second unit. I think there’s a reasonable chance – perhaps even a likelihood – that Duren and Stewart are opening-night starters alongside each other in a two-big lineup. The larger question, since depth charts are a bit more fungible than ever, is whether Wiseman or Bagley can separate from each other to establish one as the clear No. If we’re talking certainty of roles, I’d say Duren and Stewart have separated themselves a bit. ![]() Langlois: Jalen Duren over James Wiseman at center, Isaiah Stewart over Marvin Bagley III at power forward.
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