According to Jeetbuzz App Download analysts, the NBA regular season has hit its halfway point, and several teams have clearly shifted their focus away from winning. Some, like the Pistons and Raptors, are now laying the groundwork for future seasons. As the saying goes, don’t bite off more than you can chew—and both franchises have essentially accepted the need to rebuild.
Pistons executives have publicly abandoned hopes for this season, focusing entirely on next year. The Raptors aren’t far behind. Head coach Darko Rajaković openly admitted the team wants to win, but emphasized the long-term plan. Jeetbuzz App Download sources believe that plan involves tanking to secure a higher draft pick. With the trade deadline approaching, the league is buzzing with activity behind the scenes as teams look to reshape their rosters.
Notably, the Raptors and Pistons—both openly embracing tanking—were among the first to make major trade moves. The Raptors recently sent OG Anunoby to the Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a future draft pick. Both teams have performed well since the trade, stacking up wins and showing newfound energy. This trade may have unofficially kicked off the season’s trade deadline frenzy.
The Pistons followed up with their own blockbuster, acquiring Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala from the Wizards in exchange for Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks. Both the Pistons and Wizards are among the Eastern Conference’s worst teams, so their trade might not shift the power balance in the league. However, it carries heavy implications for the players involved—especially Bagley.
Once the No. 2 pick in a talent-loaded draft class, Marvin Bagley was selected ahead of Luka Dončić and Trae Young. But his NBA journey has been rocky, marked by underperformance and multiple trades. Just days ago, during a Pistons practice, Bagley and Livers were suddenly informed they’d been traded and shared emotional goodbyes with teammates.
The most telling part of the deal? The Pistons had to sweeten the trade by attaching two extra draft picks just to convince the Wizards to take Bagley. In return, they got Gallinari, who’s at the tail end of his career, and Muscala, considered a fringe rotation player. That speaks volumes about how far Bagley’s stock has fallen.
For Bagley, this latest move may be another uphill climb. The Wizards, like the Pistons, are tanking with little concern for winning. Their system lacks discipline and developmental structure, offering little support for a player in need of revival. With a roster focused on padding individual stats, Jeetbuzz App Download insiders doubt Bagley will get the touches or passes he needs to thrive.
It’s hard not to compare him with his draft classmates—Ayton, Dončić, Young, and Gilgeous-Alexander—all of whom have blossomed into stars with hefty contracts. As Bagley bounces from one team to another, one can only wonder what must be going through his mind. After all, in this league, not living up to expectations is the original sin—and if you can’t deliver, you’re just another name on the trade block.