When the Detroit Pistons were in the midst of a 28-game losing streak during the 2023-24 season, no one thought that would be able to emerge from the ashes as quickly as they did. They were the sixth seed in 2025 and rose all the way to the one seed last season and won 62 games.
Cade Cunningham was the reason for that, but the emergence of Jalen Duren, the steady veteran presence of Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson, the game-changing defense Ausar Thompson provided, and the hard-nosed leadership style of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff also played huge roles.
The Pistons did flame out in the second round to the Cavaliers, blowing a 2-0 lead in the process. Their lack of offensive firepower and real second option next to Cunningham is what did them in and this summer, Detroit hasn’t done much to address that weakness, and it could lead to this concerning scenario.
The Pistons could be set for a step back next season
Detroit was likely headed for some form of regression anyways, because it is unrealistic to expect them to win another 62 games next year. However, they have had a very weird offseason.
They did acquire Isaiah Joe, drafted Ebuka Okorie, and signed John Collins in free agency, all great moves to add to the depth, but there still isn’t enough shooting or shot creation to support Cunningham.
Joe was an end of rotation player for the Thunder last year, Okorie is a rookie and needs time to develop, and Collins battled injuries with the Clippers last year and has plateaued as an offensive player. Tobias Harris also departed for the Spurs and who knows what’s going to happen with Jalen Duren’s contract situation at this point.
The East also got a lot better this offseason. The Sixers are loaded, the Knicks are set to defend their title, the Raptors added Kawhi Leonard, and teams like the Cavs, Pacers, Hawks, Magic, Heat, and Wizards are all going to be in the mix.
The Pistons look like they will be a great regular season team, but their playoff ceiling will once again be capped. Unless there is massive internal improvement, it is hard to see them as true contenders next season. They simply did not do enough this summer around Cunningham and it could come back to bite them on the big stage once again.
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