Detroit Pistons: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

The Detroit Pistons have a new coach, some new role players, and a new set of expectations for 2018-19. Here are five predictions for the upcoming season.

Change has been the name of the game for the Detroit Pistons this offseason.

After missing the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years, the organization dismissed head coach and president Stan Van Gundy — who had a 152-176 record in four seasons — and brought in veteran executive Ed Stefanski as a front office adviser. Stefanski then hired Dwane Casey as head coach.

Casey is the reigning NBA Coach of the Year who was let go by the Toronto Raptors despite leading his team to five straight playoff appearances and a franchise-record 59 wins last season. In Detroit, he’ll oversee a roster that includes a handful of newcomers, including high-flying small forward Glenn Robinson III, crafty point guard Jose Calderon, and rugged center Zaza Pachulia.

The Pistons also enter this season with a Big 3 that isn’t technically new, but similar to a used car that only has 2,000 miles on it. Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Blake Griffin — who came to Detroit in a trade last February — played just four games together last season.

The relatively fresh trio will be looked upon to lead a team facing higher expectations than what it faced one year ago. While last season’s lottery finish wasn’t a surprise, these Pistons have playoff potential and will be considered underachievers if they don’t make the postseason.

Here are five predictions regarding Detroit’s playoff chase and the rest of the 2018-19 season.