The Detroit Pistons smashed expectations to an even more extreme degree than the Rockets. They more than tripled their win total from the 2023-24 campaign and vaulted into the playoffs with Cade Cunningham making the leap to true stardom.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Suns trade Booker to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Shaedon Sharpe, a 2028 first-round pick swap, a 2029 first-round pick swap, a 2030 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick.