The Pistons won only 14 games last season, their worst mark in franchise history. With a new head coach and revamped front office, they’re no longer a laughingstock.
In many games last season, the Pistons looked overmatched from the opening tip. Thanks to some veteran upgrades, they’ve put up a fight in most games this season.
Following road wins against the Suns and Lakers, Detroit is now just one shy of last season’s win total at 13-17. Cade Cunningham (23.9 points, 9.7 assists, and 7.0 rebounds per game) is playing at an All-Star level.
Backcourt partner Jaden Ivey (17.4 PPG, 4.2 APG, 4.2 RPG) has played with more confidence under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff. President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon signed or traded for Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley to complement the team’s young core. Those additions have made a major difference.
Beasley, in particular, has proved to be a bargain signing on a one-year deal. He’s averaging 16.6 points per game, mostly off the bench, while making 41.6 percent of his three-pointers.
Naturally, those vets could be dealt for assets, but that’s not a given. There’s value in learning how to win and perhaps getting a taste of the postseason.
The latter is not far-fetched. The Pistons are currently tied for ninth in the Eastern Conference, which would get them one of the last two play-in spots.
Detroit has posted some other solid wins this season. The Pistons have notched two overtime victories over the Heat, a home win over the Lakers and road victories against the Pacers and Knicks.
Most of the teams behind them are either in tank mode or simply awful. Among that group, only the Sixers figure to move up the standings. On the flip side, the Bulls and Hawks could slide down the standings, depending on what they decide to do in the trade market.
That brings us to today’s topic: Will the Pistons, last season’s worst team, qualify for the play-in tournament? Should they hold onto to the veterans who have improved the team or should they look to deal them for assets?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
This is surreal. Thank you Gores for finally cleaning house and putting the right minds in charge.
I assume they got Harris, Beasley and Hardaway BECAUSE they wanted to get better. No sense doing so otherwise.
Pistons making the playin depends on if Philly gets healthy and if Chicago tanks.
I hope the bulls tank
My prediction
Heat and Pistons miss the playoffs
76ers and Hawks make the playoffs
Butler is the issue after TD if he is not traded
Please trade for Julius Randle.
I think Pistons winning is good for the NBA. Historic franchise and also some promising young stars. As a Bulls fans, our future is bleak bc of AKME and I hate the Pistons due to Bad Boys but I think they need to add another veteran during the playoff push to get themselves there. Maybe someone like Kelly Olynk who won’t break the bank for cap and wouldn’t command premium draft assets, thoughts?
This is the reason Lakers are not the championship team
Pistons swept Lakers this season
Lakers are more like Suns and 76ers than Celtics and Thunder
1. I would love to see this team make the playoffs AND make noise in the playoffs. I would hate to see them make the playoffs and get quickly blown out in the playoffs.
2. The 1-13 protected pick in this year’s draft is an important factor here. Next year, it becomes a second rounder. Getting the 14th or 15th pick and losing it would be counter productive in the development of the team for the long term.
3. They are firmly at the salary cap floor, intentionally. The stated and sensible goal of this is to gain draft capital in trades at the deadline.
4. The roster as constructed is not a serious contender. Change is coming, most likely with trading talent and taking on bad short term contracts for assets. One or two of Ivey, Duren, Stewart are probably gone at the deadline along with Beasley.
Keep the vets, keep competing, keep winning, make the play in or playoffs, and keep competing