Persistent injuries to Cade Cunningham have hampered Detroit’s efforts to make the playoffs for the 1st time since 2018-19.
Offseason
Resignings: Cade Cunningham, Simone Fontecchio
Additions: Malik Beasley (free agent), Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Tim Hardaway Jr. (trade), Tobias Harris (free agent), GM Trajan Langdon, Wendell Moore Jr. (trade), Paul Reed (free agent)
Draft: Ron Holland (No. 5 pick), Cam Spencer (No. 53)
Gone: Buddy Boeheim to the Thunder, Taj Gibson to the Hornets, Quentin Grimes to the Mavericks and James Wiseman to the Pacers.
Free Agents – unsigned: Troy Brown Jr., Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, Chimezie Metu, Jared Rhoden
Last season
There are bad seasons, but then there’s what the Pistons delivered in 2023-24: a historically bad, worst-ever showing for the franchise. The 14-68 campaign was stained by a 28-game losing streak, the longest single-season losing streak in NBA history.
Injuries limited Cade Cunningham (62 games missed) and Jalen Duren (61) but the problems went deeper. Coach Monty Williams had issues with Jaden Ivey and couldn’t connect with the rest of a young and impressionable roster; 11 players were 25 and under. Too many fire alarms blared with this team that couldn’t be ignored once the summer began. A housecleaning was necessary.
Summer summary
If the buck stops at governor Tom Gores regarding the mess of 2023-24, then salute him for this: He didn’t hesitate to spend the bucks to clean it up. How many owners in any sport would willingly swallow the $65 million left on a coach’s contract, one year after giving him the richest deal — since surpassed — in coaching history?
That took guts, yet it was a good message to send to the team and fan base — and to Trajan Langdon, hired to replace GM Troy Weaver because, again, Gores wanted to start anew. J.B. Bickerstaff was surprisingly available, and a no-brainer hire, after the Cavaliers cut him loose after he led them to the playoffs despite a rash of injuries.
Spotlight on
Tobias Harris leaves Philadelphia as a symbol of scorn, but he’ll get a much warmer welcome in Detroit for his second tour of duty with the Pistons. There is no pressure on him, and he probably won’t be placed on the spot in the playoffs (Detroit doesn’t project that far). He is a solid character guy who will fit in the locker room and represent a new beginning for both him and the team.
How far can the Pistons go?
This isn’t just Cunningham’s team, it’s more Langdon’s. While the Pistons are certainly hoping for big things from the No. 1 overall pick – Cunningham will likely push for an All-Star spot if Detroit’s record is reasonable and he stays healthy – the onus falls on Langdon to sort out the roster.
Teams that win less than 20 games don’t make strong playoff pushes the very next year. That probably means a tough season ahead, and another trip to the Draft lottery – in what’s projected as a solid 2025 draft. The good news is there’s a fresh approach and fresh leadership. The Pistons’ main goal is to give fans reasons to stay emotionally invested.
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