The Athletic NBA Daily New Year Mailbag | Morning Shootaround
Jan 7, 2026
Dave and Es dive into trade talk as January heats up, dissecting the impact of potential deals amid the season's lull. The discussion includes intriguing possibilities for Trey Young and Michael Porter Jr., and they explore a wild three-team swap involving Anthony Davis. They also evaluate the Rockets' performance and playoff prospects, while sharing personal stories about navigating the emotional rollercoaster of fandom. Plus, insights into the Pistons' promising future and how midseason form shapes championship contenders add depth to their analysis.
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Wizards Are A Low-Risk Trey Fit
- The Washington Wizards are a lower-risk landing spot for Trey Young than Brooklyn because they can absorb potential failure without crippling the franchise.
- The Wizards' youth and draft flexibility let them gamble on high-upside, distressed star moves with manageable consequences.
Trey's Offensive Creation Has Limits
- Trey Young creates a lot of offense but doesn't elevate teammates consistently or play off the ball.
- That limits his fit for title teams and makes him more valuable to developmental rosters than contenders.
Pistons Should Target Michael Porter Jr.
- The Detroit Pistons should pursue Michael Porter Jr. to add reliable shooting and spacing next to Cade Cunningham.
- Use moderate draft capital and matching salary to upgrade scoring without sacrificing long-term flexibility.