Detroit — Troy Weaver is well aware of the discourse and conversation surrounding his Pistons and their NBA-worst 16-62 record.
The Pistons’ general manager wrote a letter to fans on Monday, which re-emphasized the franchise’s commitment to competing on a nightly basis and stressed the importance of the upcoming offseason, which will be used as a tool to improve the roster.
Weaver acknowledged that Cade Cunningham’s season-ending surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left leg was an unforeseen circumstance that hindered the Pistons’ continuity, but emphasized that the injury allowed other players to gain experience.
“I know the history, I know the tradition and I know the urgency to which our fans want to win and see us move back up the ladder of the NBA’s hierarchy,” Weaver said. “Our focus is aligned with yours — and from the top down — we are committed to delivering on this restoration process for you.
“Rebuilding a team does not always follow a linear path, and we experienced that this year with the injury to Cade Cunningham that forced him to miss a majority of the season. While that injury impacted the continuity of our team, it also presented an opportunity for growth from others.
Pistons rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren received an expedited first-year experience in the NBA as a result of Cunningham’s injury, which led to them starting for the majority of the season. Killian Hayes, who was projected to be the lead guard off the bench, also received ample opportunity to play with the first unit and showed an improved ability to manage an offense on a nightly basis.
With the worst record in the league, the Pistons are in line to secure a top-five pick in the NBA draft for the third consecutive offseason, and they should share the highest odds (14%) of securing the No. 1 pick alongside the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. They are expected to have roughly $25 million to $30 million in cap space this summer, which could lead to another veteran player to complement their nucleus of young players.
“We are in an excellent spot to upgrade our roster this offseason,” Weaver said. “We’ve positioned ourselves for another high draft choice in this year’s draft, we have a favorable salary cap position, and we’ll continue to talk with teams and evaluate trade opportunities as they present themselves.”
As the Pistons conclude another season in the depths of the NBA standings, they’re about to embark on another imperative offseason to add more talent to the roster. Rebuilds are ideally meticulous and need time to have sustainable success in the future, but they also aren’t supposed to last forever.
Weaver knows that and he acknowledges disappointment with the team’s record to close his statement.
“Make no mistake — we are all disappointed with our record this season but are confident that we continue to be on the right path to success,” Weaver said. “We appreciate your patience, trust and loyal support as we continue this journey together. You deserve the opportunity to celebrate this team once again as a fixture among the NBA’s best, a bedrock of this city and its culture. We are partners with you in building greatness together.”
Nets at Pistons
Tipoff: 7 Wednesday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
TV/radio: BSD/97.1
Outlook: The Pistons, who are on a nine-game losing streak before Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat, will play their home finale against the Nets on Wednesday. The season series is tied, as both Detroit and Brooklyn emerged with wins on the road. The Nets won’t have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who scored 40 points despite a loss to the Pistons on Jan. 26. However, Nets forward Mikal Bridges will be a focal point of the Pistons’ scouting report. He’s averaged 27.6 points per game since he was traded from the Phoenix Suns.
mcurtis@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @MikeACurtis2