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Latest injury news increases chances of Knicks facing Victor Wembanyama in East

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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The Victor Wembanyama chatter has quieted down now that the 2022-23 season has been in full swing for a few weeks, but that talk is going to pick back up once the season nears an end. The Spurs have been linked to Wembanyama after they traded Dejounte Murray over the summer, but given the Pistons’ latest injury news, the seven-foot-two phenom could be headed to Detroit.

On Monday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that 2021 No. 1 draft pick Cade Cunningham would be undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shin. The guard had been out since Detroit’s 128-112 loss to Boston on Nov. 9, where he shot 1-of-11 from the field and 0-of-6 from three for four points in 24 minutes.

Since then, the Pistons have won only four of their last 17 games. Detroit currently has the worst record not only in the Eastern Conference but in the NBA at 7-22. The No. 15 team in the West is the 8-18 Rockets.

With Cunningham not returning to the court until the 2023-24 season, there’s an even higher chance now that when he does play again, it could be alongside Wembanyama.

Knicks’ chances of facing Victor Wembanyama have increased with Pistons’ Cade Cunningham out for the season

Along with Cunningham being out, the Pistons are reportedly shopping Saddiq Bey ahead of the trade deadline. Although he’s struggled from three this year, Detroit would be without a double-digit scorer if he were to be traded. Bojan Bogdanovic’s name has also popped up in trade rumors as he’s been connected to the Lakers, but according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (subscription required), the Pistons are “showing no urgency” in trading him. However, that could change.

It would be smart for Detroit to trade Bogdanovic, especially since Charania also reported that teams that are interested in him have offered first and second-round picks. The Pistons would be able to add to their draft stock while increasing their chances of landing Wembanyama even more.

Detroit drafted New York target Jaden Ivey at No. 5 in the 2022 NBA draft and managed to trade for No. 13 pick Jalen Duren as well. Even if the Pistons don’t get Wembanyama, they’re still going to be a threat in the future, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a generational talent, of course.

Detroit fans may be discouraged about sitting at the bottom of the standings for another year, but when the draft lottery rolls around again, that feeling would quickly fade if the Pistons were to be awarded the No. 1 pick.

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