NBA Trade Rumors and Free Agency News for 2016-17 Season – Drummond, Johnson Counted on in Detroit, Stephendon Headed Home to Knicks?
In the latest round of NBA news, updates and rumors for the 2016-17 season, the Detroit Pistons are expected to be among the Eastern Conference's most different "look" teams this upcoming season.
On paper, president of basketball operations and coach Stan Van Gundy didn't make many changes. But there's something to be said about not tampering too much with success.
The Pistons were a playoff team last season and Van Gunndy is counting on youngsters Andre Drummond and Stanley Johnson taking the next step in their progression to solidfy Detrroit's status as one of the league's youngest yet toughest teams.
Drummond, Johnson Headed Upward
"He and Stanley (Johnson) are the guys who can, I think, based on their age and what they've done and what they're capable of doing, who have the potential to make the biggest jumps," he said of the 22-year-old, Drummond, who led the league in rebounding last season (14..8) in his fourth season.
The Pistons went from 32 to 44 wins last season and for that climb to continue the 19-year-old Johnson (8.1 ppg, 4.2 rebounds last season) will have to be every bit as improved as team brass expects Drummond to be.
"The strength Stanley has is he's got a tremendous passion for the game and tremendous desire to be great, Van Gundy said. "He's as good a competitor as you'll find in this league, as young as he is. What goes along with that is a stubbornness, to some degree. At times, I'll be honest - working with him can be a little bit frustrating because of that. He thinks he knows the way to do it."
Meanwhile, after signing veteran guard Jason Terry, the Bucks are still considered among the prime contenders for all-time three-point shooting leader Ray Allen.
The currently retired, 41-year-old sharpshooter has talked with Milwaukee and Boston about rejoining one of their franchises should he return to the league.
In Philadelphia, with Nerlen Noels, Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid all presently part of the 76ers' front-court, word is both Noel and Okafor could be on the market for the right price.
Noel may have tipped his hand about being more than open to the prospect of joining his hometown Boston Celtics, recently posting on social media how much he loves the city.
Stephenson Headed Home?
Finally, in New York free-agent swingman Lance Stephenson is rumored to be on the radar of both the Knicks and the Nets in a move that would take him back to his roots.
As rumors about him being difficult to deal with and hothead have persisted this off season, Stephenson has found it difficult to land a home after averaging 14 points on 47 percent shooting with the Grizzlies in roughly half a season last year.
With the Knicks, Stephenson would join a star-studded roster that already includes Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis.
He would also fit with team president Phil Jackson's apparent win now philosophy. In Brooklyn, he would be pared with Jeremy Lin in one of the league's most explosive backcourts.
Stephenson recently added to all the intrigue by taking to his Instagram page and posting "Dreams come true."
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