NBA Notes: Pistons, Caris LeVert, Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Trail Blazers

Pistons

When Caris LeVert heard that Detroit hired J.B. Bickerstaff in June 2024, his reaction was immediate. He thought it was a strong step toward restoring the franchise.

LeVert spent two-and-a-half seasons with Bickerstaff in Cleveland, witnessing firsthand the structure, discipline and professionalism he brings.

“I honestly knew they were going to have a good season last year,” LeVert said, via Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News. “I did not know what that looked like. So hopefully this year, we can take another step.”

That prediction ended up having ripple effects on LeVert’s free agency. When Detroit expressed interest this summer, LeVert and his reps jumped at the opportunity. He signed a two-year, $29 million deal in July.

The fit has been natural.

“With the defense, that is pretty similar, if not almost exact (to what it was in Cleveland). Offensively, a lot of the same concepts as well,” LeVert said. “(Using) a lot of guys’ versatility of pass, shoot and dribble.”

Bickerstaff needed a versatile wing after losing Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder. LeVert fit that mold perfectly.

“Caris is awesome,” Bickerstaff said. “As a human being, he is one of the best guys I’ve been around. We asked him to do so many things in Cleveland… Never once did he flinch. He did everything we asked him to and impacted our growth, and I expect him to do the same thing here.”

In other news, Detroit also added Feron Hunt on a training camp deal, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.

Hunt played last season with the Cleveland Charge, averaging 15.9 points and 7.8 rebounds.

He’s expected to join the Motor City Cruise in the G League, where an Exhibit 10 bonus could net him up to $85,300 if he sticks for 60 days.

Knicks

Jalen Brunson is adjusting to a faster pace under new head coach Mike Brown, and so far, results have been mixed.

“I’m comfortable,” Brunson said, via The New York Daily News. “We’re still adjusting, and that’s the process of this entire season… the longer that we go through this and understand what’s needed and asked of us, the better we’re gonna be.”

Brown likes what he’s seeing.

“Jalen, he’s starting to adjust. You can see it,” he said. “If you want to pressure a guy like Jalen with that much space, there’s a pretty good chance that he can make you pay for it.”

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s James Edwards III and Fred Katz examined whether New York could make a legitimate run at Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The consensus: the Knicks lack the draft capital and young talent to outbid contenders like Houston or San Antonio.

Trail Blazers

The Blazers added guard Sean Pedulla to their training camp roster on an Exhibit 10 deal, then quickly waived him with the expectation he’ll join the Rip City Remix in the G League.

Pedulla averaged 15.4 points and 3.8 assists for Ole Miss last season after transferring from Virginia Tech. Portland waived MarJon Beauchamp, Andrew CarrMarJon Beauchamp, Andrew Carr and Liam Robbins to make roster room — all three are candidates to land with the Remix.