THE Detroit Pistons are looking to put their terrible 2023-24 campaign completely in the rearview mirror. They won just 14 games last season, posting the worst record in the franchise, and they also ended up setting the record for the longest single-season losing streak in NBA history. With such rot there are a ton of consequencesThat’s why Monty Williams and Troy Weaver are out and JB Bickerstaff and Trajan Langdon are in to fix the Pistons’ mess.
Regardless, the 2024-25 season is shaping up to be another tough one for the Pistons, barring an unexpected leap forward from a few of their younger players. They’ve added some much-needed veteran help and shooting, so they could at least look like a functional team next campaign. But the Eastern Conference playoff picture appears to be cluttered.
Still, crazier things have happened before. Perhaps the Pistons organization’s decision to overhaul its thinking group would rid the franchise of the rot that has grown over the past few seasons. That said, here are some predictions for how the 2024-25 season would play out for the Pistons.
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Tobias Harris finished as the Pistons’ top scorer (total points)
Tobias Harris’ tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers ended on a tear. Harris, who the 76ers traded in 2019 and later signed to a massive extension, failed to provide the wing contributions the team needed to contend for a championship. He didn’t shine in his final game with the team, scoring zero points in a home playoff game.
Harris won’t improve much, if at all. He’s already 32, which makes him a finished product. Pistons can be the target of mockery for adding Harris in free agency given how disappointing he was in Philly, but one thing is for sure, his arrival gives Detroit a greater level of skill.
The 32-year-old forward has been pretty durable throughout his career, and the Pistons may be the team that needs capable wing players the most. He can score semi-effectively and space the floor, and he would be a big help to Cade Cunningham to restore some semblance of respectability to Detroit.
That durability makes him a candidate to finish the 2024-25 season as the Pistons’ leading scorer. Unlike the 76ers, Harris is expected to play a larger role in the offense, making it unlikely he’ll return to being the 19/20 points-per-game scorer he was earlier in his career. Meanwhile, Cunningham has had his share of injury issues, missing 20 games last season due to various knocks.
Head coach JB Bickerstaff will also appreciate Harris’ contributions on the glass as well as his ability to line up at the four fairly fluidly, which should allow him to stay in the lineup for a large portion of the minutes at the three and four – giving him plenty of opportunities to add to his point total.
Detroit passes 30 wins mark
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It seems absurd to think the Pistons will win more than double the number of games they did last season. Fans’ perception of this once-proud franchise is understandably down after they put together the most embarrassing stretch of basketball in NBA history — without even trying to lose on purpose like the Process 76ers did.
But credit where credit is due. The Pistons management diagnosed the team’s weaknesses last season and filled out the roster with quality NBA players who should maintain a solid level from game to game.
In addition to signing Tobias Harris, the The Pistons also acquired Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasleytwo gunners who won’t be afraid to shoot from beyond the arc. Both of these players will fit right in alongside a willing point guard like Cade Cunningham. Plus, a full season from Simone Fontecchio should also be very helpful. Adding Paul Reed off waivers was also a good move, giving them another solid and versatile presence in the frontcourt.
There are still plenty of question marks hanging over the Pistons, which is why finishing with 30 wins seems to be their ceiling for next season. For starters, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland, as athletically gifted as they are, struggle to space the ground. What role will these two play for the Pistons next season? Can Jaden Ivey step up to the plate next season after being somewhat marginalized in Monty Williams’ system? Is Jalen Duren now equipped to anchor the team’s defense?
