- The Detroit Pistons won only 17 games last season
- Monty Williams is the new coach in Detroit
- Star point guard Cade Cunningham is healthy again
The Detroit Pistons had a putrid 2022-23 season. They won only 17 games and finished with the worst record in the NBA.
The Pistons had the fifth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and selected Ausar Thompson. Former Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams also joined Detroit as the team’s new head coach.
The Pistons probably won’t make the playoffs next season, but their projected starting lineup is pretty talented, as each player brings a unique skill set to the table.
Point Guards
Starter: Cade Cunningham
Reserves: Monte Morris, Killian Hayes
Cade Cunningham only appeared in 12 games last season due to a serious left shin injury. The first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has fully recovered from his injury after undergoing surgery and is primed to have a huge 2023-24 season.
Cunningham averaged 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists last season while shooting 41.5% from the field, 27.9% from beyond the arc, and 83.7% from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma State product put up 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game during his rookie season.
The Pistons drafted Cunningham to be their new franchise player. The youngster has the talent to fill that role. He just has to stay healthy moving forward.
Cunningham already has 13 double-doubles and two triple-doubles in 76 NBA games. Many scouts believe Cunningham has All-Star potential.
Shooting Guards
Starter: Jaden Ivey
Reserves: Alec Burks, Marcus Sasser
Jaden Ivey had a strong rookie season for the Pistons in 2022-23. He averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 74 games while shooting 41.6% overall, 34.3% from 3, and 74.7% from the foul line. Ivey made the All-Rookie Second Team.
Ivey’s highest-scoring output came on March 27 against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Purdue product scored 32 points in 31 minutes while shooting 9-of-19 from the field, 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line.
The Pistons believe Cunningham and Ivey can both average over 20.0 points next season under new head coach Monty Williams. Detroit could possibly be a play-in team if that happens. Ivey does need to work on his ball control, as he averaged 3.2 turnovers last season, but he’ll get better in that area as he gets more comfortable going against NBA defenses.
Small Forwards
Starter: Bojan Bogdanovic
Reserves: Joe Harris, Ausar Thompson
Bojan Bogdanovic is one of the top shooters in the NBA. The swingman averaged 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season for the Pistons while shooting 48.8% from the field, 41.1% from beyond the arc and 88.4% from the free-throw line.
In October 2022, Bogdanovic signed a two-year, $39 million extension with the Pistons. It appears Detroit will start next season with Bogdanovic on the roster despite multiple teams being interested in trading for the veteran. The Dallas Mavericks tried to trade for Bogdanovic this offseason, but Detroit and Dallas couldn’t agree to a deal.
There could be a desperate playoff team in need of shooting who will give the Pistons what they want for Bogdanovic near the 2024 trade deadline in February. The going price multiple teams have found from the Pistons for Bogdanovic is one first and multiple seconds, which is too steep for any suitor at the moment, according to Matt Moore of The Action Network.
Bogdanovic has career averages of 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists with the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Pistons. It will be fascinating to see if the small forward spends the entire 2023-24 season in Detroit.
Power Forwards
Starter: Isaiah Stewart
Reserve: Isaiah Livers
Isaiah Stewart signed a four-year, $64 million rookie-scale extension with the Pistons this summer. Stewart would have become a restricted free agent next offseason if the Pistons didn’t sign him to an extension.
Stewart’s agent, Drew Gross of Roc Nation Sports, negotiated the deal in Las Vegas at Summer League.
Stewart appeared in only 50 games for the Pistons last season due to a left shoulder injury. He averaged 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 44.2% from the field, 32.7% from beyond the arc, and 73.8% from the free-throw line.
The Portland Trail Blazers drafted Stewart with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Washington. The Blazers traded Stewart to the Houston Rockets, who then sent the big man to the Pistons. Stewart has career averages of 9.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 189 games with Detroit.
The Boston Celtics were interested in trading for Stewart this summer, but the Pistons were not open to moving the New York native.
Stewart was the first non-max contract extension in the class of 2020. Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball, Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, and Memphis Grizzlies swingman Desmond Bane agreed to max extensions.
Centers
Starter: Jalen Duren
Reserves: Marvin Bagley III, James Wiseman
Jalen Duren played well for the Pistons in his rookie season. He averaged 9.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.9 blocks while shooting 64.8% from the field and 61.1% from the free-throw line. Duren recorded 19 double-doubles in 67 games.
The 19-year-old Duren made the All-Rookie Second Team. The Pistons struck gold by getting Duren and Ivey in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Detroit can thank the Charlotte Hornets for drafting Duren and trading him to the New York Knicks, who then sent the talented center to the Pistons.
For the Pistons to shock the NBA and make the playoffs next season, Duren will likely have to average a double-double.
