The Detroit Pistons went 14-68 last season, a season that included a 28 game losing streak. As a result, they made sweeping changes this summer, firing GM Troy Weaver and Head Coach Monty Williams, one year into a 6yr/$78.5 million deal he signed in 2023. Detroit hired Trajan Langdon as President of Basketball Operations and J.B. Bickerstaff as Head Coach. There was a new era in Detroit and they got to work this summer.
The Pistons had 2 primary needs this summer, shooting and players who would be on the floor every night. Detroit used 31 players last season and knew that number needed to go down. This summer they signed Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley while acquiring Tim Hardaway Jr. from the Mavericks. Those three guys fill their primary needs of shooting and guys who play every night. While Harris and Hardaway have been good but not great for Detroit this season, Beasley has been a revelation. Averaging 16.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game on 43% from the field and 40% from 3, Beasley has well surpassed the 1yr/$6 million deal he signed this summer. With Detroit likely losing Jaden Ivey for the season with a broken fibula, they have needed Beasley to step up and he has, averaging 17.7 points per game since January 3rd, including 2 huge threes in Detroit's win on Monday against the Knicks. Another huge factor these 3 offseason additions have played most every night. Harris has played (and started) in 38 games, Hardaway has played (and started) in 36 games and Beasley has played in all 40 games Detroit has played. These three players have played a huge factor in the Pistons 21-19 start, that includes winning 7 of their last 8 contests.
Cade Cunningham is having the breakout season the Pistons have been waiting for. Averaging 24.5 points, 9.4 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game on shooting splits of .46/.38/.80, Cunningham is averaging career highs in points per game, assists per game, rebounds per game, field goal percentage and three point percentage. He is going to be an All-Star. The way he is seeing the game jumps out the most. He is making the right play so often this season, including Monday where he had hockey assists passing out of a double team in back to back possessions, leading to the pair of clutch Beasley threes. The leap Cunningham has taken has been eye opening and is the number one reason for the Pistons turn around and their recent hot streak.
The Pistons also have a number of good young players on the team. Though he is out for the season (and the Pistons have played better since he left the lineup), Jaden Ivey was showing real signs of growth this season. Averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists, Ivey was playing much more efficiently than he had in previous years shooting a career high 46% from the field and a career high 41% from three. He really looked like he was turning a corner before he broke his fibula on New Year’s Day. Ausar Thompson is an elite defender. His length, screen navigation and athleticism make him one of the best defensive players in the league. Even when he makes a mistake, like going for a steal, he has the size and athleticism to make up for it. Jalen Duren’s numbers are down but that is in large part to his opportunities being down from a season ago. Averaging 9.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, Duren averaged a double-double a season ago.. With his defensive rebounding percentage at 27.7% after being a league leading 33% a season ago, Detroit would like that to rise and for Duren to play better on the defensive end as a whole. Lastly is the 5th pick from this past year’s draft, Ron Holland II. Holland hasn’t had a ton of opportunities his rookie season but when he has you can really see the athleticism he possesses. With that said, he needs to shoot the three ball better going forward.
Detroit has a bunch of interesting trade scenarios as we head towards the February 6th deadline. For starters, they are the only team in the NBA with cap space, at $14 million, thus they can take back a good amount of money in any deal. This allows for them to be very aggressive at the deadline. Jimmy Butler is not a name they will be in on but Bradon Ingram is a possibility. I think Ingram is going to be very cheap to acquire so would the Pels take Hardaway, Simone Fontecchio and future 2nd round picks for Ingram to get out of a potential extension? This deal would also take the Pelicans out of the luxury tax and create a big trade expectation so I don’t think this would be a definitive no from New Orleans. If not Ingram, D’Angelo Russell is another name Detroit could explore. Would Brooklyn be willing to take Fontecchio and future 2nd round picks for Russell? I think they would. They could also explore Isaiah Stewart trades, though I think with Duren’s up and down season, keeping the insurance is the smart thing to do. I expect the Pistons to make a trade at some point over the next few weeks.
The Pistons are the best story in the NBA. From 28 straight losses and 14-68 a season ago to 21-19 and winners of 7 of their last 8, the Pistons are very fun to watch play every night. With the ascension of Cade Cunningham, the future looks bright in Detroit.
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