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Articles by Swochchhanda Shrestha
Marcus Sasser's rotation spot hinges on 2 improvements
Going into next season, one of the biggest questions on the Detroit Pistons roster is backup point guard. Based on the moves so far in the offseason, most fans are expecting a committee approach to this role, with playmaking on the second unit coming from guys like Caris LeVert and Jaden Ivey. But the most ideal option would be for Marcus Sasser to grow into the backup point guard role that he was seemingly drafted for in the first place.
Pistons could surpass even the most optimistic projections
Coming off a resurgent season and with the Eastern Conference being impacted by key injuries, the Detroit Pistons have high expectations for next season. ESPN has projected them as the 11th best team in the NBA, based on a panel of experts, and 4th in the East behind the Cavaliers, Knicks and Magic. This projection seems quite optimistic, considering the Pistons were 6th in the East and 14th in the league overall last year. But the Pistons might be able to exceed even these lofty goals.
Pistons face urgent void with team culture at stake
The Detroit Pistons’ historic turnaround last season was helped in large part by an influx of solid veterans compared to the season prior. Of those veterans, Tim Hardaway Jr and Dennis Schroder (who was acquired at the trade deadline) have now left for other teams in free agency while Malik Beasley has pending federal investigation related to gambling irregularities and not currently signed by any team.
Pistons must avoid doomed destiny of West purgatory team
The Detroit Pistons had a historic turnaround last season and ended one of the longest playoff droughts in franchise history. Two seasons prior, the Sacramento Kings did the same thing and made the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons. But the Pistons need to make sure they don’t follow in the Kings’ footsteps at all beyond this.
Pistons executive considers reunion with team that cast him aside
The Raptors parted ways with long-time president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, who was once considered the best executive in the NBA after building the 2019 championship team. One of the emerging top candidates to replace him is the man that he fired as head coach immediately prior to the Raptors’ sole championship season: Dwane Casey.
Pistons must avoid dreaded scenario with young stars
Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are eligible for contract extension after the 2025-26 season. In the case of Ivey, and potentially Duren as well, the Pistons’ front office will want to see how they play in the season prior to extending qualifying offers to them. Even if an extension is not reached, both players will be restricted free agents - meaning that the Pistons have the right to match any offer that is extended by other teams - but the current offseason has shown us how nasty that can get.
Heated player ranking debate creates new rival for Cade Cunningham
In the heart of the offseason, NBA.com has turned to some prediction-based rankings for next season. They recently published an article ranking the top 10 players in the Eastern conference heading into next year and it has many Pistons fans up in arms. Cade Cunningham was ranked 5th on the list right behind fellow young star and former no. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero at 4. Cade Cunningham vs.
The hidden metric holding the Pistons back
The Detroit Pistons improved in a lot of ways last season, and clutch performance was one of them. Last year in games that came down to the clutch (5-point game within the last 5 minutes) the Pistons finished with a respectable 21-23 record. This was an astronomical leap from their 8-27 record the year before but there is still room for improvement.
Agonizing droughts the Pistons hope to end next season
Last year, the Detroit Pistons were the feel-good story of the NBA and awards ballots reflected that with a lot of finalists coming from Detroit. However, the Pistons did not actually end up winning any major awards despite being top three in three different categories. This upcoming season, the Pistons hope to continue their momentum and be more rewarded at the awards ballot.
Pistons’ brutal playoff loss was a blessing in disguise
The Detroit Pistons lost a heartbreaking series against the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs last year, but they may actually benefit tremendously from that outcome. Veteran journalist and podcaster Zach Lowe recently mentioned that he thinks the “physicality” of that series will benefit the entire Pistons team in the long run, and there are also many other lessons the young team can take from their playoff return.
NBA champion thinks he could elevate Cade Cunningham's game with a few tweaks
Cade Cunningham seems to be the talk of the league in the offseason. It’s no secret that veterans and retired players love his old-school controlled playstyle and many are expecting another leap from him next year. In a recent clip posted by the “Run It Back” show (hosted by former players Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams), retired point guard Rajon Rondo also chimed in.
Obvious Jaden Ivey improvement that will guarantee him a huge extension
Jaden Ivey hopes to have a strong bounce back year after a season-ending injury just 30 games into last season. With the departure of some veteran guards from last season’s roster, Ivey will be asked to do more on both ends of the court. On defense, this means he will play a key role for the Detroit Pistons as a chaser and perimeter lockdown defender.
Pistons’ most underrated player primed to make big leap
Isaiah Stewart is an often overlooked member of the Pistons’ young core. He was the first player of his draft class to accept a non-maximum contract extension, and has settled himself into a reliable bench role ever since. Stewart’s counting stats aren’t eye-popping but his impact is undeniable, and he can take another leap to become one of the best backup bigs in the league.
2K ratings reveal same glaring weakness for the Pistons
Player ratings for NBA 2K26 have been released and the Detroit Pistons fared well overall. Cade Cunningham leads Pistons players, as expected, with a 92 overall rating that puts him in the top 20 of the league. The team as a whole has six players rated at least an 80, and seems to be a solid overall roster. But the 2K ratings do point towards a noticeable lack of shooting across the likely rotation players.
Most intriguing Pistons still have crucial questions to answer
Long-time NBA podcaster Zach Lowe recently had regular guest Howard Beck on his “Zach Lowe Show” podcast to discuss their six most intriguing players for the upcoming season. Both ended up with a Pistons player on their list, and Lowe also revealed that Jalen Duren was on his list of six prior to last season. This national spotlight on young Pistons only serves to highlight the importance of this season for the young core’s development.
Overlooked Cade Cunningham skill gives Pistons unique advantage
Cade Cunningham is a well-rounded player with high expectations coming into next year. His game typically speaks for itself in the box score, evidenced by his top 10 finishes in both points and assists per game last season. Cade provides a ton of value as both a scorer and playmaker, but his contributions on the defensive end go relatively under the radar.
Cade Cunningham can unlock elusive accolade for the Pistons
No member of the Detroit Pistons has ever won MVP and Cade Cunningham hopes to change that. Detroit Pistons fans are excited about the continued growth of their young core next season, but even the most optimistic are putting some sort of limit on the team and individual expectations for next season. However, Cade Cunningham is starting to be tossed around as a dark-horse MVP candidate for 2026 on social media. And here’s how he can win it.
Pistons' plan for Ausar Thompson should be crystal clear
SLAM Magazine’s most recent issue features a cover story of the NBA’s hottest sibling rivalry: twins Amen and Ausar Thompson. Both are coming off their first playoff run and excited to make another leap going into their third season. Reading through the interview reminded me of a crucial and realistic step in Ausar’s development - he doesn’t need to reinvent himself but rather just build on the skills that he and his brother already show.
Surprising Eastern conference rival could be the next Pistons
After finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference last year, the Detroit Pistons are far from guaranteed a playoff spot going into next season. They likely have their eyes set on an even higher seed next year as some teams above them have had their rosters decimated by injuries and offseason departures. At the same time, they are sure to be cautious of other young teams who upgraded this offseason in the Magic and Hawks.
Recent free-agent rumors make no sense for the Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are now officially listed as the favorites to sign restricted free agent Cam Thomas according to some betting platforms. Thomas is currently in a stalemate with the Brooklyn Nets, who have the right to match any offer made to him but are not willing to outright offer him the money he wants ($30+ million per year). Some Pistons fans have even gone so far as to suggest trading Jaden Ivey for Thomas, which would be a huge mistake.
Pistons clarify Jaden Ivey position after recent rumors
Summer League interactions have spawned a lot of rumors regarding the Detroit Pistons’ future plans, including for some of their key players. For some reason, Jaden Ivey was a hotly debated topic among executives of other teams and many of them are allegedly monitoring his situation to see if the Pistons will look to move him soon. However, a quote posted by Keith Smith of Spotrac from an anonymous Pistons executive seems to push back on this idea.
Pistons must avoid this deadly lineup temptation
As the offseason moves along, it is becoming less likely that the Detroit Pistons will make another big move before the start of the regular season. They have a solid lineup set right now but are missing some depth at power forward behind Tobias Harris. They have some options for filling in this void, including younger players, free agency and their Traded Player Exception, but there is one route they must absolutely avoid: the dreaded double-big lineup.
Pistons still hanging onto hope for rookie contributions
The Pistons’ only draft pick this year, Chaz Lanier, had a subpar Summer League and has an uphill path towards playing meaningful minutes on the main roster this year. Overall, I would give Lanier’s Vegas outing a C grade. His final stats were 10.4 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 2.2 APG and 0.8 SPG shooting 33% from the field and 36% from three. Many fans were disappointed with Lanier’s Summer League performance and believe he will be lucky to even make the Pistons’ roster at any point this season.
Role and contract are everything when it comes to Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris has been in the NBA for a long time. He is now entering his 15th season and has played for five different teams. For most of that time, he has been pretty much the same player but his perception around the league has varied a lot based on his given role and contract. Harris was originally drafted in 2011 by the Milwaukee Bucks and spent a season and a half there before being traded to the Orlando Magic, where he first broke out.
Pistons should seize opportunity for front-court depth
This year’s Las Vegas Summer League has been a mixed bag so far for the Pistons. The team has played well overall and they’ve had standouts in Ron Holland and Daniss Jenkins, but other rotation hopefuls have struggled, which may leave the Pistons searching for depth elsewhere. Even after having his first great game of Summer League, Bobi Klintman has disappointed overall and questions linger about his ability to compete athletically at the NBA level.
Tim Hardaway Jr’s comments support Pistons' conservative approach
Tim Hardaway Jr. chose to leave the Detroit Pistons in free agency and join the Denver Nuggets instead. But he still had plenty of positive and insightful things to say about his one year in Detroit during a recent podcast appearance. Last week, Hardaway joined new teammate Cameron Johnson on The Young Man and the Three podcast and much of the conversation centered around the Pistons’ historic turnaround.
Clippers have pivotal advantage over Pistons on the backup point guard market
If the Detroit Pistons are still in the market for a backup point guard, they will have competition in the Los Angeles Clippers. The Los Angeles Clippers recently participated in a three-team trade by sending out Norman Powell and receiving John Collins in exchange. We’ve already covered how Collins is an excellent pickup for a team looking to add depth in the frontcourt, but this move also opens up the Clippers’ depth chart for a potential pickup in the backcourt too.
Summer League balance could turn into depth for the Pistons
Under the new CBA, finding cheap talent is more important than ever, and the Detroit Pistons hope they have found some in the Summer League. The Pistons are off to a roaring 2-0 start in the Las Vegas Summer League after a 98-83 win over the Houston Rockets. Ron Holland II stole all the headlines after their game one win, but the effort was more balanced across the team in this one. All five starters had solid contributions, and even have some fans hopeful for added depth this season.
Jalen Duren training clips show how he can unlock the Pistons’ offense
Jalen Duren’s offseason workout clips are going viral among Pistons fans and sparking some hot debate. In the videos, Duren shows off his jump shot with shots from the midrange and 3-point land. The shots also come in different scenarios, including spot up, coming off screens and off the dribble, which have some fans excited for a potentially expanded role.
Ron Holland’s surprising Summer League growth shows X-factor potential for Pistons
Now I know I just wrote an article on not overreacting to Summer League performances but boy does this Ron Holland debut have me excited. Last year’s #5 overall pick, who just turned 20 a few days ago, opened his Vegas campaign with an absolutely dominant showing against the Knicks. In just 28 minutes, he totaled 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team to victory. He definitely looked too good for Summer League and he’s got fans fired up about his trajectory.
Pistons fans may have jumped the gun on Malik Beasley
One of the biggest stories of this offseason has unfortunately been the Malik Beasley saga. Just before free agency began, a report came out that he is being investigated by the US District Attorney’s office in relation to irregular gambling in the 2023-24 season. This news has potentially huge ramifications not only for Malik Beasley and the Pistons but for the NBA as a whole.
Pistons face rivals set on vengeance in tough NBA Cup draw
The NBA just released its group drawings for the NBA Cup (aka the In-Season Tournament). The Detroit Pistons were placed in the East B group, along with the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. It’s probably the toughest group in the Eastern Conference but the Pistons may still be able to have a strong showing.
Pistons’ nemesis one of several intriguing options for most glaring need
With the completion of a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings, the Detroit Pistons acquired a traded player exception (TPE) for $14.3 million this upcoming season. It doesn’t mean a move is coming immediately, but after the Pistons gave up a second-round pick to acquire the exception, there will be a move in the future, possibly for a veteran point guard.
Fontecchio's alleged star interaction leaves Pistons fans lamenting
The Detroit Pistons recently traded away the NBA’s only Italian player, Simone Fontecchio, as part of a sign-and-trade for Duncan Robinson. In an interview with Italian newspaper Il Centro, Fontecchio talked about his time in Detroit and the aftermath of the recent trade.
Summer League should come with a warning label for the Pistons
Here’s your annual reminder to not overreact to Summer League performances, especially debuts. This is especially true when evaluating rookies who have no prior experience in the NBA. Every year, there are tons of high-upside draft picks who end up having successful careers but struggle in the unique environment of summer league just weeks after getting drafted (or signed as undrafted free agents).
Pistons’ will gamble with internal options or mystery free agent
So far this offseason, the Detroit Pistons have not been big players in free agency. In fact, they have even lost out on a lot of their top free agent choices, including last year’s backup point guard Dennis Schroder who was acquired at the trade deadline.
Pistons retool with Tim Hardaway Jr. upgrade of their dreams
After losing out on some potential free agent targets at the wing position, the Pistons retooled by signing Duncan Robinson to a 3 year/$48M deal. The sharpshooter and one-time Michigan Wolverine comes to the Pistons with seven years of experience on the Miami Heat. In that time, he was frequently a starter and contributed to two Finals appearances. Robinson would not have been the first choice offseason addition for most Pistons fans, but I do believe he is severely underrated.
Bittersweet memories as former Pistons fan favorite calls it quits
On Sunday, long-time NBA veteran Bojan Bogdanovic officially announced his retirement from professional basketball. For most Pistons fans, this news is probably extraordinarily unremarkable. Bogdanovic spent just a couple seasons in Detroit and didn’t contribute to many wins. But for me, a fan since 2022 (I moved to Michigan in January that year) and season-ticket holder for two of the worst seasons in franchise history from 2022-24, he holds a special, conflicted place in my heart.
Former Pistons sniper may become free-agent priority in wake of Malik Beasley news
The Pistons have seemed intent on adding more shooting to the roster this offseason. Reports of Malik Beasley being the prioritized free agent re-signing from last season and the draft selection of Chaz Lanier indicate a focus on surrounding the athletic young core with spacing. That plan was put on hold with the recent Malik Beasley news that may force the Pistons into another direction when it comes to finding shooting.
The solution to the Pistons' biggest problem might already be on the roster
The Detroit Pistons’ future outlook is very promising and spread out well across different positions. At four of the five spots on the court, the Pistons have young players who are already solid contributors and will only get better as they grow: Cade Cunningham at point guard, Jaden Ivey at shooting guard, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland at small forward, and Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart at center. The Pistons are missing a long term solution at power forward.
Pistons add elite playmaker who knows how to set up Chaz Lanier
With the 2025 NBA draft now officially complete, the Pistons move on to their next order of business: the Las Vegas Summer League. This will be an opportunity for last year’s draft picks, Ron Holland II and Bobi Klintman, and this year’s second-round pick, Chaz Lanier, to showcase their skills and development. In order to set those guys up, the Pistons just signed one of the best playmakers in the NCAA last season, who also happened to be teammates with Lanier.
Pistons fans relieved by dramatic change in draft strategy
The Pistons drafted a shooter! With the 37th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons selected guard Chaz Lanier from Tennessee. Lanier is a lights-out shooter who shot a scorching 39.5% from distance on over eight attempts per game for the Volunteers. This pick was widely praised and his playstyle drew comparisons to the Pistons’ own Malik Beasley, who nearly led the NBA in 3-point makes last season.
Trajan Langdon's controversial comments show he understands harsh reality for Pistons
The NBA offseason is still in its infancy but has already gotten off to a roaring start. Many notable trades have already been made, highlighted by those for Kevin Durant, Desmond Bane, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis, and many more will surely take place before the start of the 2025-26 season. In spite of the offseason excitement, Detroit Pistons team president Trajan Langdon has remained steadfast in his conservative approach.
Surprising draft snub could allow Pistons to acquire beloved hometown star
The Detroit Pistons are not expected to make a huge splash at the 2025 NBA draft - they have just one draft pick and it is in the second round, number 37 overall. Still, the Pistons will undoubtedly be searching for ways to improve their roster on the two draft nights, whether that is through their own selection or trading for other picks or players. Some draft room projections might have opened up a path for them to bring in a hometown hero who can complement the roster well.
Thunder prove Pistons have already taken first step towards a title
On Sunday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA championship and became one of the youngest title-winning teams of all time. No doubt many fans of other young teams like the Detroit Pistons looked on enviously wishing their teams could achieve similar success. But it is important to note that the Thunder’s rise to the top of the NBA hasn’t been immediate and they too needed to gain their licks of playoff failure first. For Pistons fans, the team’s playoff appearance was a mixed bag.
Pistons could upgrade with forward caught in contract limbo
The Detroit Pistons are looking to improve their roster this offseason and the Utah Jazz have come up frequently as a potential trade partner. The usual marquee target is Lauri Markannen but another forward on the team can also help improve Detroit’s frontcourt rotation. John Collins has drawn interest from many teams around the league, and the Pistons could also try to trade for his services.
Magic have shown what Pistons need before making a win-now move
The Orlando Magic recently made shockwaves around the NBA with a blockbuster trade for guard Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies. Reactions to the trade have been mixed, with some viewing the haul as an overpay for Bane and others praising Orlando’s efforts to bolster their young core. Regardless of how you view this trade for the Magic, it does raise a question for other young teams on the rise: when is the right time to pull the trigger on a win-now move?
Paul Reed question has no easy answer for the Pistons
Heading into this offseason, the Detroit Pistons are forced to make some tough decisions regarding veteran contributors from last season due to free agency. While the veteran guards (Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr) have received more attention, another free agent who contributed last season is Paul Reed. The 26-year-old big man is heading into his sixth season and played solid minutes for the Pistons last year in both the regular season and playoffs.
Slight improvements in 3 areas put Cade Cunningham in the MVP conversation next season
Throughout this NBA season and now into the playoffs and Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has dazzled fans and put together a historic campaign. His accolades include the regular season MVP and the Western Conference Finals MVP, and he hopes to punctuate the season with a championship and Finals MVP as well. For Detroit Pistons fans watching from home, SGA's play style offers optimism about Cade Cunningham’s potential future development.
Pistons ideal sharpshooting trade target just became readily available
This upcoming offseason will be a pivotal one for the Detroit Pistons as they look to build off their momentum from last season and enter the upper stratosphere of the Eastern Conference. It will also be a pivotal offseason for the Boston Celtics, who are navigating Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury and a huge impending luxury tax bill. The Celtics will likely look to cut some salary from their roster in a season where they don’t expect to compete for a championship without Tatum.
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