The 2024-25 Detroit Pistons truly offered a season worth commemorating, not merely for their 44 victories, but for achieving a rare feat: tripling their win total from the prior year, marking them as only the second NBA team in history to do so. As they prepared for their initial playoff series against the New York Knicks, team president Trajan Langdon remarked to the press on the `amusing` nature of reaching the playoffs as the sixth seed, especially after having preached patience pre-season. The Pistons transformed from an object of ridicule into a genuine contender. Their playoff journey ended with a Game 6 defeat to the Knicks, sealed by Jalen Brunson`s clutch three-pointer, yet all four of their losses appeared within reach during the fourth quarter. Crucially, they fulfilled Langdon`s initial objectives: forging an identity rooted in resilience, demonstrating consistent improvement throughout the season, and providing their young roster with invaluable experience in high-stakes NBA competition. The consequence of this breakthrough? Elevated expectations. Should they secure the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference again, it will no longer be considered a surprising achievement.
The State of Play
Last Season: The Pistons quickly equaled their prior season`s 14-win mark by December 26th, though they remained four games below .500 as the year concluded. A setback occurred on New Year`s Day when Jaden Ivey fractured his left fibula, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Detroit addressed this void by acquiring Dennis Schröder at the trade deadline. From January 1st onwards, the team achieved a 30-20 record, bolstered by the league`s fifth-ranked defense. Cade Cunningham`s exceptional performance earned him his inaugural All-Star and All-NBA selections. Malik Beasley was recognized as the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up, and J.B. Bickerstaff also finished as the runner-up for Coach of the Year. The team celebrated its first playoff victory since 2008 and, with minor alterations, could have potentially secured their first series win since then.
Offseason Moves: A number of players departed during the offseason: Dennis Schröder inked a substantial deal with Sacramento, Tim Hardaway Jr. secured a minimum contract with Denver, and Lindy Waters III joined San Antonio on a minimum deal. Malik Beasley`s career is currently on hold due to a gambling investigation. Detroit significantly reconfigured its wing contingent, bringing in former Michigan Wolverines teammates Caris LeVert (on a two-year, $28.9 million contract) and Duncan Robinson (obtained via a sign-and-trade involving Simone Fontecchio for a three-year, $48 million agreement, with only the initial year guaranteed). Additionally, the team retained Paul Reed (for two years, $10.9 million) and signed Javonte Green to a partially guaranteed minimum contract.
Win Projection: BetMGM has set the over/under for the Pistons` win total at 45.5.
The Conversation
Pistons Enthusiast: While last year brought a pleasant, unforeseen delight, the upcoming season promises to be even more gratifying. I`m eager to witness a complete season of Ausar Thompson wreaking havoc on opposing ball handlers, driving for dunks, and executing instinctive, unteachable plays. I`m also excited for Jaden Ivey to showcase his significant shooting improvements prior to his injury—he notably converted 45.2% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers last season! Naturally, I anticipate another All-NBA caliber performance from Cade Cunningham, and I expect Ron Holland III to demonstrate considerable progress. Furthermore, I believe Duncan Robinson and Jalen Duren`s dribble-handoff actions will be key in significantly expanding our offensive options. Considering the expected internal development and the current vulnerability of the Eastern Conference, there’s no reason why the Pistons can`t achieve 50 or more wins. Let`s get this season started!
Pistons Doubter: What are your thoughts on Beasley`s departure? I acknowledge his struggles during parts of the Knicks series, but he was undeniably crucial to last season`s resurgence. He attempted 15.6 three-pointers per 100 possessions, hitting an impressive 41.6% of them—a volume matched only by LaMelo Ball (33.3% from deep) and Stephen Curry (39.7%, arguably the greatest shooter ever). While the front office received praise for finally providing Cunningham with a conducive offensive setting, A) the offense was merely adequate, not exceptional, and B) it has now lost its primary floor spacer. I doubt Robinson will match Beasley`s scoring volume, and unless Ivey substantially increases his three-point attempts and sustains his high percentage, I don`t foresee him generating significant off-ball attention. LeVert also lacks the offensive gravity that Hardaway provided, and I anticipate opponents will completely disregard both Thompson and Holland from beyond the arc.
Pistons Enthusiast: Look, Beasley’s future is still uncertain; he might return. But regardless, credit to him for delivering a career-best season in Detroit. You`re correct that he was a key contributor. However, he wasn`t solely responsible for Cunningham`s enhanced efficiency or for the 2024-25 Pistons` `respectable` offense, as you described it. Cunningham actually played roughly half his minutes alongside Beasley and performed marginally more efficiently when Beasley was off the court. Even without the gambling investigation, I would consider the Pistons` effective exchange of Beasley, Hardaway, and Schröder for Robinson, LeVert, and a healthy Ivey a favorable outcome. Robinson surpasses Beasley as a more adept and eager screener, driver, and passer. While LeVert might not possess Hardaway`s perimeter gravity, Hardaway would never alleviate Cunningham’s playmaking responsibilities to the extent LeVert will. And simply put, Ivey is superior to Schröder, who was always a temporary solution.
Pistons Doubter: The Pistons didn`t intentionally plan to trade Beasley, Hardaway, and Schröder for Robinson, LeVert, and a healthy Ivey this offseason. They fully intended to re-sign Beasley before the gambling investigation intervened. Furthermore, you overlooked Simone Fontecchio, who is also gone and could have been valuable due to his off-ball effectiveness. My hope for the summer was that the front office would strengthen the halfcourt offense, which, according to Cleaning The Glass, was only 19th last season. While Robinson is a good addition, I`m concerned that the current roster construction might lead to a regression in overall offense, rather than an improvement. If either Robinson or Tobias Harris misses any games, the team’s spacing issues will be severely exacerbated.
Pistons Enthusiast: I also wanted the front office to improve the halfcourt offense this summer, and they did exactly that! The primary issue last season was the team`s over-reliance on Cunningham: when he was on the court, the Pistons` halfcourt offense performed at a top-10 level; without him, their scoring efficiency in the halfcourt dropped to match the 23rd-ranked Jazz. This makes LeVert’s signing a resounding success, and why I’m more focused on how Robinson enhances the team’s offensive synergy rather than simply replicating Beasley’s statistics. It seems necessary to reiterate that shooting isn`t the sole determinant of success—this team’s foundation rests on defense, physicality, and its transition game. Besides, Schröder only shot 30.2% from three-point range with the Pistons. I should also point out that Thompson is a clear Most Improved Player contender, poised to become a full-fledged star either this season or next. His organic development could prove more impactful than any specific offseason acquisition.
Pistons Doubter: While shooting certainly isn`t everything, it holds significant importance! Even assuming Ivey consistently performs as a dependable spot-up shooter, substantial questions persist regarding the young core`s overall offensive cohesion, particularly since Thompson and Holland are not yet reliable perimeter threats. I also question if Cunningham`s pull-up three-pointer will ever evolve into a consistent weapon. To clarify, my concerns—which also encompass Detroit`s tendency to commit fouls and turnovers—do not suggest the team won`t be likable, win over half its games, or be a challenging playoff opponent, much like last season. My primary apprehension is that, in the immediate future, their potential ceiling might not extend much beyond that.
