The Detroit Pistons have a lot of needs following a 17-win season. But they’re positioned well to address them.
The Pistons are guaranteed a top-five pick in the draft, scheduled for June 22. Where they pick depends on how the lottery balls fall May 16 in Chicago. They will also be among the league leaders in cap space this summer, with around $30 million to play with in free agency or on the trade market. They will be active and will look to turn the page on one of the worst seasons in franchise history.
It’s a strong draft at the top, and a weak free agency class. But the Pistons’ fortunes will likely be shaped by the growth of their young players more than any roster additions they make this offseason. They can approach free agency, or any trades, with the mindset of addressing specific needs, rather than swinging for overall talent.
Here are three areas they’re likely to address this summer, and three or four players who would address each need.
More: NBA mock draft 1.0: Predicting what happens in Pistons worst-case scenario
More: Detroit Pistons coach search: Kevin Ollie has a unique resume
Perimeter defense
Defensively, the Pistons were disorganized and ineffective this season. Their defensive rating of 117.8 was the fourth-worst in the league, ahead of only Portland, Houston and San Antonio. They were bottom-10 in opponent points in the paint per game (54, 28th in the NBA), opponent second-chance points (14.8, 27th) and opponent points off turnovers (18.1, tied for 23rd).
There were many reasons behind these struggles. The roster had just three consistently solid defenders in Killian Hayes, Isaiah Livers and Isaiah Stewart. Defensive leaps from Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham would go a long way toward containing dribble penetration. The team had issues with communication and execution — typical young team struggles, with Jalen Duren and James Wiseman on the defense’s back line. But even with a more mature roster, it’s clear the team could use outside help.
The Pistons need a big-bodied wing who can handle multiple defensive assignments, but most importantly one who provides pride and energy there. Stewart can handle switching onto smaller players, but is learning the nuances of playing along the perimeter rather than closer to the rim. Hayes, at 6 feet 5, can struggle against big forwards. Adding a big, mobile wing — one who communicates and organizes teammates — would plug their biggest hole.
Four options: Jerami Grant (Trail Blazers, unrestricted free agent), Grant Williams (Celtics, restricted free agent), Cameron Johnson (Nets, restricted free agent), Jarace Walker (University of Houston, projected top-10 draft pick).
More: Accuser in Detroit Pistons scandal breaks silence: Rob Murphy harassed and assaulted me
Perimeter shooting
All NBA teams need more shooting, but the Pistons need it more than most. They knocked down 35.1% of their 3-pointers, which ranked 22nd (league average was 36.1%). It was a modest improvement from 32.6% in 2021-22, and they can thank Bojan Bogdanovic (41.1%) and Alec Burks (41.4%) for that. Still, they need to get better.
Similar to their defense, they can make significant strides next season via internal improvement. Livers (36.5%) regressed last season after knocking down north of 40% as a rookie. Ivey (34.3%) and Stewart (32.7%) both want to bump those percentages up. Hayes shot 28%. There’s internal confidence Cunningham (27.9% in 12 games) will make a dramatic improvement after using his injury rehab time to tweak his form to get more arc on his shot.
Bogdanovic and Burks, both over 30 years old, can’t be the only deadeye shooters on the roster. There are several players in the Pistons’ draft range who could give them an immediate lift.
Four options: Jerami Grant (Trail Blazers, unrestricted free agent), Cameron Johnson (Nets, restricted free agent), Brandon Miller (Alabama, projected top-three pick), Gradey Dick (Kansas, projected lottery pick).
Veteran guard play
Cory Joseph began the season on the fringes of the rotation. But Cunningham’s injury cleared a path for Joseph to play, and he proved his value for the third season in a row.
Joseph shot 38.9% from 3 — his second straight season hitting around 40% — and his usual steady playmaking and effort brought some stability to one of the NBA’s youngest backcourts. Cunningham and Hayes will be 22 years old entering next season, and Ivey will turn 22 during the season. The Pistons could use veteran insurance at the point guard position, with Joseph entering unrestricted free agency.
They may bring him back. If not, they could use a guard who can knock down 3s and take care of the ball. Of the three young guards, Ivey is the only one who has shot at least 34% from deep in a season.
Three options: Cory Joseph (Pistons, unrestricted free agent), Dennis Schröder (Lakers, unrestricted free agent), Patrick Beverley (Bulls, unrestricted free agency).
Listen to “The Pistons Pulse” every Tuesday morning and on demand on freep.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. Catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa.