One of the worst records in the NBA, 28 consecutive losses, and a franchise-low 14-68. This is how the Detroit Pistons season last year can be described. But it’s a new year and the rebuilding process has already begun. The new President of Basketball Operations, Head Coach, new players, and returning players are all just the beginning of what Piston fans can hope for with the new season beginning.
The rebuild of the Detroit Pistons all starts with management. The Pistons have hired Trajan Langdon as the new President of Basketball Operations (the highest position other than owner) after the departure of Troy Weaver, the GM for four seasons. Trajan Langdon has 12 years of scouting and front office experience, he was most recently the GM of the New Orleans Pelicans. Giving him the much-needed experience the Pistons could use. The Pistons have also hired a new head coach, J. B. Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff was the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2020 to 2024. He turned the team of many rookies and new players into a real team. He coached them to the playoffs two years in a row. The Pistons are in a similar position that the Cavaliers were in four years ago. Bickerstaff rehabilitated the team and will hopefully do the same for the Pistons. We have already seen evidence of this with the improvement of their defense.
The 24/25 season has just started. The Pistons started out with a 7-9 record so far. They have the potential this year to become a good team. The starting 5 are Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris, and Jalen Duren. Harris has returned to the Pistons after playing five seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was a part of the Pistons from 2016 to 2018. In 2016 Harris was traded to the Pistons from the Orlando Magic. He then helped to secure their playoff spot for the first time since 2009. This year there was no question for Trajan Langdon to pursue Tobias Harris in free agency, which means he is eligible to sign with another club or franchise. Considering he already wanted to return to Detroit, having met his wife here. Harris can provide some much-needed veteran experience to the team that was missing last year. He will be able to provide great leadership and advice for some of the younger players such as Ron Holland, Jalen Duren, Jayden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson. He is the starting power forward. Cunningham is the point guard. Alongside Harris, Cunningham does a great job leading the team on and off the court. He is averaging 22.9 points per game and 6.8 rebounds. Known as the face of the Pistons, he has been a part of the team since 2021. Another new addition to the team is the small forward and shooting guard Ron Holland. He was the No. 5 pick from the 2024 NBA draft. According to the Detroit Free Press, “28-54, 12th. They will be better than the tanking Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards and one of the Charlotte Hornets or Toronto Raptors.” This year, with all the changes being made, the Pistons are projected to hopefully have a better season than last year.
The 2023 Head Coach was Monty Williams. Jaden Ivey was not a starter and his playing time was more limited last year. His minutes this season are on average 32.9, and last season it was 28.8. Williams didn’t play or trust Ivey enough, stunting his growth and not giving him a chance to improve. This season, Ivey is already flourishing on the court. He is a starter as the shooting guard and when Cunningham is off the floor, he is easily able to transition into the role of the point guard. J.B. Bickerstaff is doing a much better job of playing the players in the most useful way. Another player now playing much better this season is Isaiah Stewart. Bickerstaff is playing Stewart as a small center instead of a big power forward like last season. Stewart has stopped taking 3-pointers that he can’t make and has improved on defense. This is another success of the new head coach, Bickerstaff. A problem from last season was the defense, which we have already seen being worked on with the changes in the lineup. During the Lakers vs. Pistons game, we were able to see the potential this team has when they defend. The center, Duren, had one of his best games yet and so did the other center, Stewart, with two blocks on Lebron James shots. They won the game 115 to 103.
The Pistons 24/25 season is already off to a better start. With Bickerstaff as head coach and lots of potential from the team, we can hope for a better season and with a lot of luck, a spot in the playoffs this year. Right now the Pistons are currently in 10th place in the eastern conference. They need to be in the 6th spot by playoff time. A spot is possible, but the pistons will have to work for it.
