The Detroit Pistons are once again struggling, sitting at 9-13. Cade Cunningham’s recent hip injury has sidelined their main playmaker, and while Ausar Thompson just returned from a wrist issue, he’s still working his way back into form. Jaden Ivey, expected to take a big step this season, has been inconsistent, averaging 18.4 points on 45% shooting. The team’s lack of cohesion on both ends has been glaring, especially without Cade leading the charge.
The Pistons have been on a bad streak of eight straight seasons without a winning record, and 2024-25 looks to be the same case. With young players still figuring it out and the veteran presence not moving the needle, it’s hard to see the Pistons breaking their streak of losing seasons. Injuries, uneven development, and a lack of identity have this team stuck at the bottom of the standings once again.
A Never-Ending Nightmare Since The Last Playoff Game
The Detroit Pistons haven’t sniffed playoff relevance since their brief appearance in 2019, and calling it a “success” is a stretch. That season, they scraped into the playoffs with a 41-41 record as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Their reward? A first-round sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, led by an unstoppable Giannis Antetokounmpo. Blake Griffin gave it his all despite a severely injured knee, but the Pistons had no chance. That series stretched their playoff losing streak to 14 games, cementing their place in the league’s basement.
After that disaster, the team dismantled their old core. Griffin’s injuries became too much, and Andre Drummond was traded in 2020 to kick off a rebuild. But the road since then has been brutal. They went 20-46 in 2019-20, 20-52 in 2020-21, and 23-59 in 2021-22. Cade Cunningham arrived in 2021 as the first overall pick, carrying sky-high expectations, but injuries and a lack of support have plagued his early years.
Then came 2022-23, arguably the lowest point in recent memory. The Pistons finished 17-65, earning the worst record in the league. Jaden Ivey had his rookie flashes, but it was clear the team lacked direction. The following season, 2023-24, somehow managed to be even worse. A dismal 14-68 campaign cemented Detroit as the laughingstock of the league. Even with promising young talent like Ivey and Ausar Thompson, the Pistons couldn’t string together wins or compete on most nights.
Now, sit at 9-13. It’s technically better than last year’s disaster, but the same issues persist. Cade is dealing with a hip injury, Ausar is working back from a wrist problem, and Jaden Ivey is still struggling to find consistency. Poor shooting, shaky defense, and a lack of identity continue to haunt them. Five years removed from their last playoff game, the Pistons are still searching for answers, and this season doesn’t look like it will deliver any.
A Season Plagued By Injuries And Inconsistencies
The Detroit Pistons entered the 2024-25 season hoping to turn things around, but this start shows they’re still far from breaking out of their cycle of losing seasons. Cade Cunningham has been the centerpiece of their offense, and his numbers before his recent injury reflect that—he was averaging 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.9 assists over 18 games. His absence due to a left hip injury has left the Pistons scrambling for answers, as their offense has lost its primary playmaker and stabilizer.
While Ausar Thompson is back from his wrist injury, his impact so far has been limited. In his first four games this season, Thompson is averaging just 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, shooting a poor 34.8% from the field and struggling to find his role offensively. It’s a tough return for a player who showed flashes last season but now needs to contribute more consistently. Meanwhile, Jaden Ivey, who was expected to take a big leap this year, has struggled with efficiency. Despite averaging 18.4 points and 4.3 assists, his 45.2% shooting from the field and streaky performances have left the Pistons without the kind of consistent production they need from their young stars.
Team-wide, the issues are just as glaring. The Pistons rank 22nd in the league in points per game (109.8) and are 30th in steals, highlighting their inability to disrupt opposing offenses, as they are quite average in defensive rating too. Their defensive struggles are evident in the 111.7 points per game they’re allowing, ranking 12th worst in the league, and they’ve been particularly poor in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 36.7% from deep, placing them 21st. Offensively, their shooting has been inconsistent—they’re 18th in field goal percentage (45.9%) and middle-of-the-pack in three-point shooting at 35.1%.
Beyond the numbers, the Pistons feel disjointed. Their offense often stalls without Cade on the floor, and their defensive lapses make it hard to maintain any momentum. The mix of injuries, inconsistent production from key players, and a lack of clear identity has left Detroit stuck in neutral. Despite flashes of potential, their flaws are too big to ignore, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that this season is shaping up to be yet another frustrating chapter in their endless rebuild.
What Needs To Change For The Pistons To Finally Break Out?
The Pistons are stuck in rebuild purgatory, and it’s tough to see how they can break out of it with the current direction. Despite having some solid young talent in Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson, they don’t have the star power or team cohesion needed to make a jump up the standings. The injuries have certainly played a role, but the issues go beyond that. This team needs more than just time for their young players to develop—they need a plan.
One of the biggest changes they need is a more balanced roster. Right now, there’s no clear identity, no real star to build around consistently when Cade is out. Ivey and Thompson both have potential, but they’re not All-Stars yet, and they need more help around them. The Pistons also have to figure out the veteran situation—guys like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Simone Fontecchio could be useful trade assets, but the team has to find the right deals to get future picks or younger talent that fits their timeline. It’s time for the Pistons to stop adding patchwork veterans who only delay the inevitable rebuild.
Another key area is player development. They’ve shown flashes of promise, but the inconsistency is glaring. Whether it’s Thompson’s offensive struggles or Ivey’s efficiency issues, the Pistons need to develop these guys into reliable pieces who can perform consistently, not just in stretches. This means investing in better player development systems and coaching to help their guys take that next step.
Finally, the Pistons need to adjust their expectations. It’s clear this season is another losing year. With their roster in disarray and major injuries to their stars, it’s hard to see them pushing for anything other than another high lottery pick. But for this rebuild to stop feeling like an endless cycle, Detroit’s front office has to make the right moves: securing more draft capital, building a real foundation around Cunningham, and maybe going all-in on a veteran franchise player who can elevate this team into something more than just “potential.” Without that, it’s going to be another long season—and potentially a long decade—of rebuilding with little to show for it.
