Detroit Pistons: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Following an inspiring return to the playoffs, the 2016-17 Detroit Pistons were expected to climb the standings further. Instead, they were one of the league’s most disappointing teams. Can they make good on that upside in 2017-18?

Two years ago, the Detroit Pistons became the annual “young team that gives LeBron a good fight in a Round 1 sweep.” In other words, brighter days were ahead. Maybe a Round 2 loss to the Cavs?

Things played out much differently than Detroit would have liked. Injuries, stagnated development and uneasy locker room dynamics sunk them from 44 wins to 37 in 2016-17.

No one wants to head that direction. When a young team — particularly one facing major restricted free agency decisions — does so, it is even more distressing.

In our 2017-18 Pistons season preview, we look at how the team addressed their roster based on last year’s poor performance, and if those moves, combined with internal and cultural improvement, can get the franchise trending back upwards.

2016-17 Vitals

37-45, 5th in Central Division, 10th in Eastern Conference
101.3 PPG (26th)/102.5 OPP PPG (7th)
105.2 Offensive Rating (25th)/105.3 Defensive Rating (11th)

Team Leaders
Scoring:  Tobias Harris, 16.1 PPG
Rebounding:  Andre Drummond, 13.8 RPG
Assists:  Reggie Jackson/Ish Smith, 5.2 APG
Steals:  Andre Drummond, 1.5 SPG
Blocks:  Andre Drummond, 1.1 BPG

Honors
N/A