2023-24 season: 14-68
Season highlights: Malachi Flynn did his best to imitate Tony Delk, scoring 50 points in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks on April 3.
how it ended
Has it really started? The rebuilding Pistons were expected to improve significantly after handing Monty Williams $78.5 million to be the franchise's next head coach. After all, the organization is entering the third year of the Cade Cunningham era, with explosive scoring guard Jaden Ivey and man-child center Jalen Duren producing quality results in the 2022 draft last year. It was bringing. With Cunningham healthy after a 12-game campaign, the Pistons will keep an eye on him.
They made headlines after losing 28 straight games and entering the 2024 calendar year with a 3-29 record.
Williams asserts himself as a coach who can transition from a win-win situation in Phoenix to a rebuilding team, highlighted by the inconsistent playing time he provided to both Ivey and rookie wing Orser Thompson. I couldn't do it. Instead, Williams turned to former No. 7 overall pick Killian Hayes and favored a defensive approach to the game. Hayes was released after appearing in 42 games and has yet to settle into his new team.
The trade was made by the deadline, with the Pistons acquiring 28-year-old Italian sharpshooter Simone Fontecchio to replace Bojan Bogdanovic and Alex Burks, who were sent to New York. The Pistons will have to enter negotiations with the 6-foot-8 wing this summer because he is a restricted free agent.
Needless to say, the Pistons missed the playoffs and will be looking to field a team that doesn't rank among the worst in the league next season. They are guaranteed a top-five pick in this year's draft, which may sound like a quick-fix way to upgrade their roster, but this current draft class does not necessarily inspire great confidence.
So general manager Troy Weaver can't rely on draft picks to save the franchise. He will need to be shrewd in free agency, be active on the trade market, and find ways for Williams and his team to find common ground to best build that relationship. It's not easy.
What you need most in the off-season
The Pistons are in no position to be picky. They were 29th in the league in tenacity on the ball, 29th in 3-point shooting and 25th in defensive efficiency. They need a scoring wing who can space the court and act as a link between Cunningham, Ivey and Duren without sacrificing the team's advantage. If you don't have such a player, quality shooting in multiple positions will suffice for now.
organizational atmosphere
The Pistons have the only active front office in the NBA, and that process will set the tone for a fascinating offseason in Detroit. For now, ownership announced that general manager Troy Weaver will remain in his position while the team searches for a new president of basketball operations. League officials expect the Pistons to target a top-tier executive for the position, with officials saying they are dreaming of a big-name player like former Warriors architect Bob Myers. To expand that slot and ensure the Pistons have a strong candidate for the role, they could wait for the early rounds of the playoffs and see what impact their rival teams' postseason shortcomings have. would be in Detroit's best interest. And depending on what level of executive the Pistons are able to bring in to work with head coach Monty Williams, it is expected that the new president will have the authority to remove Weaver from his duties. said the person.
The Pistons have strong odds to be the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, as well as potentially approaching $70 million in cap space this summer. If any team would consider moving a top-five pick, it would be Detroit. Detroit is already full of lottery picks from recent rebuilding seasons approaching a draft that scouts don't expect to feature a ton of top talent. However, this dynamic could also make it difficult for a team that picks high in this draft to find a trade partner willing to pay a premium for that spot. Until this new president takes over, it's impossible to predict where the Pistons will go from there. But the general consensus among NBA talent evaluators is that despite all the misery and losses he's experienced in Detroit this past year, Cade Cunningham still has a chance to be a puncher who can lead his team to playoff contention. It means that he has proven that he is good enough to be given it. Guys like Orlando's Paolo Banchero, Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, and even Houston's Jalen Green and Alpelen Shengyun. — Jake Fisher
draft focus
It's difficult for a team aiming to be at the top of this class to be sandwiched between Victor Wenbanyama's class in last year's draft and Cooper Flagg's class in 2025. The Pistons are investing in young guard talent, including Cade Cunningham and last year's No. 5 pick Orser. Thompson desperately needs perimeter shooting. Alex Sarr offers length and versatility as a pick-and-pop big, while France's Zachary Lizacher, at 6-9, is one of the best 3-point shooters in this draft class and shoots from deep. The rate is nearly 40%. — Kristen Peek
Projected draft picks (before lottery): No.1 and No.51
Breakdown of salary cap
The Pistons are not short on money. They will definitely decline Evan Fournier's team option on his $19 million salary, and the final available funds could end up being on the better side of $70 million. They have to deal with Fontecchio's contract and make a call to Wiseman. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch big fish if you want.
However, the Pistons are unlikely to land a name like Paul George or Klay Thompson. Instead, teams should take advantage of new, tougher apron penalties to provide high-paying teams with a way to avoid potentially high taxes. The offer is simple. Detroit could take a big deal, and the reward would be a possible future first-round pick. The longer the contract, the more picks you get in return.
key free agent
Simone Fontecchio (RFA)
James Wiseman (RFA)
Goals for next season
The easy answer would be, “Come back better,” but that's pretty obvious, especially for the Pistons. But with Flagg's potential looming large in next season's draft, the Pistons should approach it from two angles. Rather than measuring your team's success in terms of wins, measure your team's success by the performance of your young players, even if it doesn't necessarily mean a big jump in the standings. Cunningham, Ivey, Duren, Thompson, whoever they select this summer, it'll all be for the better if they can get a sizable return while keeping the team on the path to the flag.
What moves the fantasy needle?
After winning 14 games and losing an NBA-record 28 straight games, it's clear that change is premature. Williams' half-second offensive scheme is not working and is not a good fit for this rebuilding team. With Weaver still (somehow) still employed, plus the financial commitment with Williams, it could be difficult to get rid of him. However, change is necessary for the team to progress.
Williams did a terrible job managing the development of young players and did not improve as the seasons passed. Fantasy managers will always remember Hayes starting 31 of 42 games with the franchise against Ivey and Marcus Sasser. Another tankathon could force Cunningham to look elsewhere when his rookie contract expires. The clock is moving in direction D. — Dan Titus
