Pistons guards Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham enter the 2023-24 season with elevated expectations.
New coach Monty Williams gets a young Pistons group that now needs to add victories to its to-do list of the recent past, namely development and talent procurement. Unlocking the right lineups and rotations while finding enough shooting to keep on the floor are reasons his contract is so rich and long, because it won’t be easy.
What’s new?
- Rookie wing Ausar Thompson, the No. 5 pick in June, already has the Pistons pondering a starting role for him, though it would come at a price of shooting or defense.
- Big man Jalen Duren was impressive in his raw ability as a rookie, has that year of NBA experience on his side now and won’t turn 20 until Nov. 18, so his game might blossom rapidly.
- Adding veterans Joe Harris and Monte Morris gives Detroit depth for its rotation and mature presence for off-court team building.
How far can the Pistons go?
The real question should be, “How high is up?” because a 100% increase in victories over 2022-23 would vault Detroit … from 17 to 34, which still leaves them outside legit postseason possibilities. Something(s) truly unexpected could see them climb higher, perhaps, but it’s been five years since the Pistons won more than 23. One sneaker in front of the other is prudent and realistic.
1 player that must take a leap
Cade Cunningham. This isn’t just a calendar thing – Cunningham’s first two seasons have seen him play 64 and 12 games, a sample big enough to demonstrate his abilities but too small to have real impact. His numbers from his dozen appearances last season (19.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 6.0 apg), replicated over 70-plus games, would have him on an All-Star arc and the Pistons’ offense and growth on a fast track.
In-Season Tournament
The Pistons are in East Group A with the Hawks, Cavaliers, Pacers and Sixers.
Upcoming free agents
The Pistons have 13 players that will be free agents in 2024.
- Alec Burks
- Joe Harris
- Killian Hayes (restricted)
- Isaiah Livers (restricted)
- Monte Morris
- James Wiseman (restricted)
- Jared Rhoden (two-way player)
- Malcolm Cazalon (two-way player)
- Tosan Evbuomwan (restricted)
- Buddy Boeheim (restricted)
- Stanley Umude (restricted)
- Zavier Simpson (restricted)
- Jontay Porter (restricted)
Rounding up young talent and veterans to support those players means Detroit has some overlaps to sort out this season. Will Wiseman, Hayes and Livers fit the long-term vision – and will they get enough reps for the Pistons to really know? Burks, Harris and Morris could help a lot of teams with more immediate ambitions so they could be in play at the trade deadline, as could veteran shooter Bojan Bogdanović and even Marvin Bagley.
Detroit’s full roster can be found here.
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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