If there existed a squad of 44 victories deserving of celebration, it would undoubtedly be the 2024-25 Detroit Pistons. They stand as the second team in NBA annals to have tripled their prior season’s victory count. As they entered their initial playoff encounter against the New York Knicks, team president Trajan Langdon communicated to journalists that it was “quite amusing” to find themselves in the postseason as the sixth-ranked team, considering he had urged everyone to exercise patience before the season’s commencement.
The Pistons transitioned from being a subject of ridicule to a formidable contender for advancement. Although they succumbed to the Knicks due to Jalen Brunson’s decisive three-pointer in Game 6, each of their four defeats appeared attainable in the final quarter. Crucially, they realized the very objective Langdon had articulated initially: They cultivated an identity rooted in resilience, demonstrated progress throughout the season, and provided their emerging talents with exposure to high-stakes NBA contests. Their reward for these endeavors? Heightened anticipations. Should they secure the sixth seed in the East this time, it will hardly impress anyone.
The current landscape
Previous year: Detroit equaled its prior season’s triumph tally (14) by December 26, yet it remained four games below the .500 mark as the calendar year concluded. On the first day of the new year, Jaden Ivey sustained a fractured left fibula, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. However, the Pistons addressed this setback by acquiring Dennis Schröder at the trade deadline. From January 1 onwards, they posted a 30-20 record, showcasing the league’s fifth-best defensive performance. Cade Cunningham garnered his inaugural All-Star and All-NBA selections, Malik Beasley narrowly missed the Sixth Man of the Year award, and J.B. Bickerstaff was a close runner-up for Coach of the Year. They secured their first playoff victory since 2008, and they might have even claimed their first series victory had a few circumstances unfolded differently.
The offseason moves: Schröder inked a lucrative agreement with Sacramento, Tim Hardaway Jr. consented to a minimum contract with Denver, Lindy Waters III committed to a minimum contract with San Antonio, and Beasley’s career is currently suspended due to a gambling investigation. Detroit overhauled its wing lineup by securing the services of former Michigan Wolverines teammates Caris LeVert (signed for two years at $28.9 million) and Duncan Robinson (acquired in exchange for Simone Fontecchio via a sign-and-trade arrangement involving a three-year, $48 million deal with only the first year guaranteed). The team also re-signed Paul Reed (two years, $10.9 million) and welcomed Javonte Green on a partially guaranteed minimum deal.
Las Vegas over/under projection: 45.5 victories, according to BetMGM
The discourse
Pistons enthusiast: Last year provided a delightful and unforeseen experience, yet this upcoming season promises to be even more gratifying. I eagerly anticipate a full season of Ausar Thompson relentlessly harassing opposing ballhandlers, infiltrating the paint for emphatic dunks, and executing plays that defy instruction. I am also eager for Jaden Ivey to remind everyone of his improved shooting capabilities before his unfortunate injury. (He achieved an impressive 45.2% success rate on catch-and-shoot three-pointers last year!) Naturally, I anticipate another All-NBA caliber season from Cade Cunningham, and I am keen to witness Ron Holland III’s continued progression. I even look forward to the dribble-handoff plays involving Duncan Robinson and Jalen Duren, which I believe will significantly enhance the offense. Considering both internal improvements and the current state of the Eastern Conference, why shouldn’t the Pistons aim for 50 or more wins? Let’s make it happen!
Pistons skeptic: I have reservations regarding the departure of Beasley. While his performance in the Knicks series was inconsistent, he played a pivotal role in last season’s resurgence. He attempted 15.6 three-pointers per 100 possessions and made 41.6% of them. Only two other players attempted three-pointers as frequently: LaMelo Ball (who shot a mere 33.3% from beyond the arc) and Stephen Curry (who converted 39.7% of his attempts and is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time). Many attributed Detroit’s improved offensive environment to the front office’s efforts, but A) the offense was merely adequate, not exceptional, and B) they have now lost their most reliable floor spacer. I doubt Robinson will replicate Beasley’s scoring output, and unless Ivey increases his three-point attempts while maintaining the percentage you mentioned, I don’t believe he will command significant off-ball attention. Furthermore, LeVert lacks the presence that Hardaway provided, and opponents will likely disregard both Thompson and Holland on the perimeter.
Pistons enthusiast: There is uncertainty surrounding Beasley’s situation. He may potentially return. If not, then let’s acknowledge his outstanding season in a Detroit uniform. You are correct in stating that he was an integral component of the team. However, he was not solely responsible for Cunningham’s improved efficiency or the “adequate” performance of the 2024-25 Pistons, as you characterized it, on offense. Cunningham played approximately half of his minutes with Beasley and actually scored slightly more efficiently without Beasley on the court. Even if Beasley were not entangled in a gambling scandal, I would still be satisfied with Detroit effectively replacing him, Hardaway, and Schröder with Robinson, LeVert, and a healthy Ivey. Robinson is a more adept (and more willing) screener, driver, and passer compared to Beasley. While LeVert may lack Hardaway’s gravity, Hardaway would never have alleviated Cunningham’s playmaking responsibilities in the manner that LeVert will. Ivey is undeniably superior to Schröder, who was always intended as a temporary solution.
Pistons skeptic: It’s not as though the Pistons deliberately sought to exchange Beasley, Hardaway, and Schröder for Robinson, LeVert, and a healthy Ivey during the offseason. They intended to re-sign Beasley until the gambling investigation intervened. Furthermore, you neglected to mention Simone Fontecchio! He is also gone, and he could have been beneficial, particularly because he doesn’t require the ball in his hands to be effective. Leading up to the summer, I had hoped that the front office would address the halfcourt offense, which, according to Cleaning The Glass, ranked 19th last season. Robinson should seamlessly integrate into the team, but I am concerned that the overall offense will regress rather than progress due to the current roster composition. Should he or Tobias Harris be sidelined for any period, the spacing will be compromised.
Pistons enthusiast: I, too, desired the front office to prioritize the halfcourt offense this summer, and they did exactly that! The primary issue last season was the team’s overreliance on Cunningham: with him on the court, the Pistons boasted the equivalent of a top-10 halfcourt offense; without him, their halfcourt scoring rate was comparable to that of the 23rd-ranked Jazz. This is precisely why the signing of LeVert was a strategic coup, and it explains why I am more interested in how Robinson enhances the overall offensive flow than in whether he can replicate Beasley’s individual statistics. I feel obligated to remind you that shooting is not the sole determinant of success — this team is predicated on defense, physicality, and transition play — and Schröder only managed a 30.2% success rate from beyond the arc while with the Pistons. Additionally, I should probably remind you that Thompson is a clear candidate for Most Improved Player and is poised to become a full-fledged star either this year or the next. His natural evolution may hold greater significance than any of the roster changes they implemented.
Pistons skeptic: Shooting is undeniably not the only factor, but it remains quite important! Even if we assume that Ivey will continue to be a reliable spot-up shooter, there are still considerable concerns about how the young players will coalesce, given that Thompson and Holland are far from being proficient shooters. I also wonder whether Cunningham’s pull-up three-pointer will ever develop into a legitimate threat. To be clear, none of my concerns — which also encompass Detroit’s susceptibility to fouling and turnovers — preclude them from being a likeable team that wins more than half of its games and poses a formidable challenge in the playoffs, as they did last season. However, I fear that, in the short term, their potential is limited.
