Central Notes: Pistons, Bojan Bogdanovic, Cavs, Bucks

Pistons

The Pistons have won just one game since Feb. 12, compiling an eye-sore of a 1-21 record in that stretch. But GM Troy Weaver wrote a letter to fans, saying that he expects things to get better soon.

“We are in an excellent spot to upgrade our roster this offseason,” Weaver wrote in a press release. “We’ve positioned ourselves for another high draft choice in this year’s draft, we have a favorable salary cap position, and we’ll continue to talk with teams and evaluate trade opportunities as they present themselves.”

• The Pistons have officially shut down leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic for the final few games due to an Achilles injury, but he is staying involved. “He’s still in our meetings, in our practice, shootarounds, he’s still involved,” coach Dwane Casey said, via Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “He gives opinions in our film sessions. If our older players see anything, they speak because they’ve been through it.”

Cavaliers

Star guard Donovan Mitchell has been everything the Cavs hoped and more in his first season with the franchise. As you likely know, Mitchell has scored at least 40 points in four straight games and the Cavs have clinched the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.

For the record, Mitchell is averaging a career-high 28.3 points this season. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he was told after the Cavs acquired Mitchell that Mitchell is generally a better player as the games become more meaningful.

“When you have a guy who can carry you in the biggest of moments, it gives you a chance no matter what,” Bickerstaff said, via Kelsey Russo of The Athletic.

• Where do Mitchell and the Cavs go from here? I wrote about that in the latest batch of Dribbles, which you can find right here.

Bucks

The status of injured shooting guard Grayson Allen remains up in the air, though the Bucks are hopeful he can return for the first playoff game. He is likely sidelined his right ankle sprain for the remainder of the week, and therefore, the regular season.

“If everything kind of went perfect, I think there are scenarios where he could be available for the first (playoff) game,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

The Bucks can secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference with one more win or one more loss by the Celtics.

• All-Star guard Jrue Holiday picked up a $331,000 bonus on Tuesday when he appeared in his 66th game of the season, per Bobby Marks of ESPN.