Pistons are different, but have they gotten better in tougher East?

The Den
,
1

Pistons are different, but have they gotten better in tougher East?

===

After a flurry of transactions over the last month, the Pistons are different in ways both predictable and not. They’ve addressed their biggest need – outside shooting. They traded up in the first round of the draft to add one of its best ball-handlers, Ebuka Okorie, with the 17th overall pick.

But are the Pistons better? That remains to be seen.

==

Langdon has been determined, but not desperate, to make a move. The Pistons will continue evaluating the trade market through the rest of the offseason and into next February’s 2027 trade deadline. But internal growth has been the main driver of the team’s rapid rise over the past two seasons.

As the roster stands now, it’ll take continued growth from Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren

==

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference has gotten stronger at the top, and deeper, too. The Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors all made big splashes for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown and Kawhi Leonard, respectively. The defending champion New York Knicks largely have kept their roster intact, as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Pistons in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

==

This offseason, the front office determined Stewart was a luxury on a team with needs elsewhere and a big extension for Duren on the horizon. They traded Stewart, and the remaining two years of his four-year, $60 million contract, to the Memphis Grizzlies in a salary clearing move.

Reed ended up being the best performer of the three in the second round

==

The Pistons retained their defenders who created the most opposing turnovers – Thompson, Javonte Green, Ron Holland and Reed – while adding multiple strong shooters. Collins, Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris (if he remains on the roster) all shot north of 40% from 3 last season, joining Duncan Robinson as players who are feared behind-the-arc.

It provides reason to believe the Pistons, even without adding a second star scorer, have a chance to be a better and more well-rounded team. According to Cleaning the Glass (which filters out garbage time), the Pistons ranked 29th in 3-point volume and 20th in 3-point percentage, yet ranked 10th in offensive rating as one of the league’s best teams in transition and generating shots at the rim.

==

2

Short answer no. Very annoying

3

I’m gonna miss Tobias but John Collins is 29 years old and also an experienced player. To me this is a general talent wash.

To the original point, yes the Pistons are better with a real starting shooting guard (Joe) and Jalen back. Losing Stewart hurts but Paul Reed is better. Dannis Jenkins is more experienced. Duncan Robinson becomes a great bench scorer/Aussar sub.

But we still are behind teams like the so the Sixers and Cavs. Better but not enough.

3 Likes
4

Knicks as well.

5

I look around the league and I do not consider Isaiah Joe a starting shooting guard. Neither do I consider Duncan Robinson one. Nor Harris nor Huerter.

Daniss isn’t, but could be. Same with Okorie.

The Pistons always do this they have a team where a guy just doesn’t really fit the standard of his position but somehow it works whether that’s Rodman as the skinniest power forward in history or Ben Wallace as a very short Center.

But they also have an knack for getting players that either through wingspan or effort or just instinct are absolute Nightmares on defense in the passing Lanes and face up.

3 Likes
6

What is the long term plan for Ron Holland, starter at the 3, starter at the 4, or 6th man role? – @BenChulick

The Pistons believe in Holland, who has become one of the top defenders on the roster and an important part of their transition offense. It’s tough to project what an improved, matured version of Holland will look like, or where he would settle in the rotation. But if he shows progress with his outside jumper, it would open the door for him to play more minutes. He shot a league-worst 25.3% on 3s (50-for-198) last season among 215 players to attempt at least 175; he shot 23.8% as a rookie (36-for-151).

That’s the goal for the 21-year-old – to round out his offensive game while continuing to develop into an elite perimeter defender. After two seasons, he’s likely their second-best player in that category after Thompson. Together, they give the Pistons the ability to put a big wing on the opposing team’s best ball-handler for 48 minutes.

There are other areas Holland must sharpen as well – particularly his vision and ability to weaponize his drives by feeding his teammates. Drafted No. 5 overall, he was the youngest player in the first round of the 2024 draft. A Year 3 leap is critical as he competes for his spot in the franchise’s future.

1 Like
7

Rodman didn’t start ful time til year 5.

Holland is gonna get Stew’s minutes and do things. Not the same thibg as Stew, but things.

Like him. Not enough to not tradr him for Trey Murphy though

2 Likes
8

I think pistons are going to make a major step back. With LeBron finally signed and pistons still haven’t signed JD maybe they need to find a dancing partner and trade him or i could see him sitting.

9

I’m shocked you of all people would have a negative prediction :zany_face:

When you’re the #1 seed, the only place to go is down… No one thought they’d win 60 games a year ago, I’m not surprised people don’t think they’ll do it again.

2 Likes
10

On paper they addressed their primary weaknesses, you can’t argue with that. However, I think they lost their toughness, both physically (Stewart) and mentally (Harris). Internal growth - yes, probably, but I don’t think that takes them that far.

I see them as 6th or 7th best in the East. This was the time to get Murphy or Durant. Bummed that they did not.

1 Like
11

Their not as good and east got better. True or false. Collins shot less then 3 threes a game last year. And Joe is a back up.

1 Like
12

He’d be a fool to sit.

  • wouldn’t accrue a year of NBA service
  • remains a RFA indefinitely (under the Pisotns control)
  • cannot sign with another team.

That’s not happening.

He could sign his qualifying offer, and be de-motivated to play hard. That would be worst case.

13

Yeah and if he does Detroit played their cards wrong

14

it would actually move our window to this year. Without his salary. It really wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, to let an old-fashioned 5 go.

15

Maybe. But the pistons want to keep him. So signing him to a one year deal means they will get nothing the following year

16

Doom and gloom man, doom and gloom

17

they also wouldn’t get a 35M salary this year. So maybe Langdon would actually DO something.

18

Thats a fact…its a actual fact.

19

I doubt it till maybe the deadline. Langdon its going to trade 1st rounders if so he would’ve done it

20

We Are Doomed Reaction GIF

4 Likes