The banged-up and struggling Chicago Bulls playing the Eastern Conference leaders? What could go wrong! On paper, the Detroit Pistons are one of the worst matc

It might not be long until Killian Hayes is competing on NBA courts again as the former Detroit Pistons lottery pick is making a strong argument for another shot at the big leagues.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

Wednesday’s 108-93 loss to the Detroit Pistons poked at an exposed nerve of dissatisfaction for Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević. He’s frustrated.

The Pistons (27-9), despite missing starters Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, picked apart the New York Knicks in a 121-90 thrashing. The Knicks boast the fourth-best offensive rating (120.1) in the NBA but Detroit held them to a season low in scoring, further solidifying itself as the East’s best team on the second night of back-to-back games.

This has seen the Pistons tied to Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. as a good fit for the deadline. Since being traded by the Denver Nuggets this offseason, Porter’s numbers are flourishing with a career-best 25.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, while shooting nearly 41% from three.

Former Detroit Pistons lottery pick Killian Hayes is rebuilding his NBA value in the G League with strong performances.

Turns out, Detroit Pistons didn’t need a significant offseason move to rule Eastern Conference. But should they maximize at 2026 NBA trade deadline?