The Athletic NBA Daily – "How far can the Pistons go?"

Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Dave DuFour (with co-hosts and guest Hunter Patterson)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the Detroit Pistons’ potential in the 2025-26 NBA season, following their impressive win against the shorthanded Denver Nuggets. The crew discusses the Pistons’ strengths, weaknesses, playoff ceiling, and potential trade deadline targets to fix their glaring lack of three-point shooting. The show also touches briefly on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ struggles due to Evan Mobley’s injury and the Clippers’ surprisingly hot run.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cavs’ Setback: Evan Mobley’s Calf Injury

[01:28–06:52]

• Mobley’s Impact: The Cavs will miss Evan Mobley until after the All-Star break due to a recurring calf strain. His absence is a major blow as the team was just finding its rhythm.
  • “It’s too bad there’s not a vaccine for calf strains because we certainly could use it.” – Dave Dufour (02:15)
• NBA Injury Trends: The hosts note a rising trend in calf and Achilles injuries, linking them to increased pace, ground coverage, and defensive demands on big men.
  • “The calf injury is up for sure…The sport is totally different.” – Dave Dufour (04:03–04:20)
• Cavs’ Playoff Prospects: The need to find scoring in Mobley’s absence, particularly while Darius Garland is also out, is highlighted.
  • “I just got to figure out, where are they going to get that 20 points a game?” – Dave Dufour (06:52)

2. Clippers on the Rise

[06:52–12:15]

• Recent Form: The Clippers are 16-4 in their last 20 games, finally clicking after a slow start.
  • “Are they a 70-win team?...Obviously not, but I thought they were at least a 47, 48-win team.” – Dave Dufour (07:26)
• Playoff Hopes: Discussion around whether the Clippers can reach the top six in the West, considering injuries to teams above them.
  • “There’s an outside shot that this team…ends up cracking the top six.” – NBA Analyst/Co-host (08:01)
• Kawhi and Harden: Kawhi’s All-NBA-caliber play and Harden unlocking his pick-and-roll chemistry with Zubac are highlighted.
  • “Kawhi is playing at an all NBA level…he’s the fourth best scorer in the league over the last 20 games.” – NBA Analyst/Co-host (09:45)
• Trade Deadline Options: The Clippers are identified as an active team at the deadline due to their expiring contracts and young contributors.
  • “This is also a very interesting team because usually Lawrence Frank, Steve Ballmer, they do not sit idle…” – NBA Analyst/Co-host (09:59)
• First Round Outlook: Potential playoff matchups are broken down, considering strengths and weaknesses against teams like the Spurs and Rockets.

3. Pistons vs. Nuggets: Game Breakdown

[14:36–17:36]

• Wild Finish in Denver: The crew reviews the controversial ending – Jamal Murray misses two clutch free throws after questionable foul calls.
  • “Jamal Murray could not come up clutch, which is not characteristic for him. So, interesting, dramatic game, and it ended up going in the Pistons’ favor.” – Hunter Patterson (15:29)
• Pistons’ Clutch Growth: Unlike last season, Detroit is now winning close games, showing improved chemistry, confidence, and communication.
  • “They are, I think, just banded together much more than they were previously... those losses that they took last year and then the trust that they are a better team.” – Hunter Patterson (17:36)

4. Pistons’ Three-Point Shooting Concerns

[18:29–20:59]

• Analytics Disadvantage: The Pistons were 6-for-31 from deep against the Nuggets (20%), reflective of their season-long struggle (26th in attempts).
  • “If there’s one area that I could poke at with this Pistons team it’s the three point shooting.” – NBA Analyst/Co-host (18:29)
• Natural Strength in the Paint: Despite poor shooting, the Pistons compensate by dominating inside (e.g., 64 paint points vs. Denver).
  • “If it’s not broken, why, why don’t you keep going to it? …they kind of went away from what was working and it let the Nuggets back in.” – Dave Dufour (19:56)
• Tactics vs. Future Opponents: The panel worries about being outgunned in playoff math against teams like the Knicks and Celtics, who fire away from deep.
  • “There is a math problem there in a playoff series against some of these talented Eastern Conference teams.” – NBA Analyst/Co-host (20:59)

5. Trade Deadline: How Can Detroit Improve?

[21:45–26:16]

• Possible Targets: With a $14.3M traded player exception, the Pistons could look for shooters and rotation upgrades.

  • “They also do have the 14.3 million in TPE…so I think the front office is very strategic.” – Hunter Patterson (21:45)

• Names Mentioned:

  • Sam Hauser: “He has no conscience from three…” – Hunter Patterson (23:10)
  • Max Christie: Young shooter fitting the core’s age.
  • Bobby Portis: Could add toughness and experience, but situation depends on Milwaukee.
  • Michael Porter Jr.: High-level shooter and scorer, but may cost too much in assets.
  • Trey Murphy: Hosts’ favorite for Detroit – young, athletic, multi-level scorer and defender. Would require a large trade package.
    • “In a perfect world, I would prefer Trey on this team over Michael Porter Jr.” – Hunter Patterson (26:21)
  • “Feels like it would be a Desmond Bain type of package.” –NBA Analyst/Co-host (26:55)

• Risk of Over-committing: The panel cautions against sacrificing flexibility for a single move.

  • “Once you do that, all of a sudden your options…dry up.” – Dave Dufour (26:59)

6. Pistons’ Power Ranking and Playoff Outlook

[26:59–29:24]

• Hunter’s Rank: Pistons are his #2 team in the NBA, just behind a healthy OKC and on par with a healthy Denver.

  • “At full strength, OKC I still think is up there. And then the Nuggets as well…But outside of those two, I don’t really think there’s any team that I would confidently say is better than the Pistons.” – Hunter Patterson (27:25)

• Spurs and Other Threats: Hosts note the Spurs' rising talent, but Hunter stands by his ranking for Detroit.

  • “Spurs fans are going to get on you for that...” – Dave Dufour (28:28)

• Stability of Pistons’ Core: With Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren as foundational pieces, the Pistons expect to compete for years.

  • “As long as they have Cade and Jalen Duren…they are going to be top three in the east.” – Dave Dufour (25:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s too bad there’s not a vaccine for calf strains because we certainly could use it.”
  — Dave Dufour (02:15)
• “Kawhi is playing at an all NBA level. Like, that’s the other aspect to this.”
  — NBA Analyst/Co-host (08:58)
• “Part of that comes with those losses that they took last year and then the trust that they are a better team, more connected now.”
  — Hunter Patterson (17:36)
• “If there’s one area that I could poke at with this Pistons team it’s the three point shooting.”
  — NBA Analyst/Co-host (18:29)
• “I really like Sam Hauser…He has no conscience from three.”
  — Hunter Patterson (23:10)
• “In a perfect world, I would prefer Trey on this team over Michael Porter Jr.”
  — Hunter Patterson (26:21)
• “Outside of [OKC and Denver], I don’t really think there’s any team that I would confidently say is better than the Pistons.”
  — Hunter Patterson (27:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Evan Mobley injury and Cavs outlook: 01:28–06:52
• Clippers’ surge and potential playoff run: 06:52–12:15
• Pistons-Nuggets game recap; clutch improvement: 14:36–17:36
• Pistons’ three-point shooting debate: 18:29–20:59
• Trade deadline targets for Detroit: 21:45–26:16
• Pistons’ place in NBA hierarchy: 26:59–29:24

Tone and Style

The episode features The Athletic’s signature in-depth but conversational analysis. The hosts banter easily, share both statistical and anecdotal observations, and provide a good mix of humor and insight—especially when poking fun at each other over rankings or recapping dramatic NBA endings.

Useful for listeners interested in the state of the Eastern Conference race, Detroit’s meteoric rise, realistic trade targets, and wider NBA trends in injuries and team building. This episode provides clear, thoughtful perspectives on what it will take for the Pistons to vault from surprise contender to true finals threat.