Next year should be even better.
The Detroit Pistons, in their fourth year of rebuilding, are coming off one of their worst seasons, not just in the NBA, but in franchise history. They suffered an unforgettable 28-game losing streak. All the goodwill and optimism I had built up seems to have evaporated.
Again, next year should be better.
Detroit has a way to improve next season. It will probably take some initiative and a bit of luck, but there is a chance. Whoever is named the new president of basketball operations will have their hands full, but they will also have the tools to work together. The Pistons have the best chance of acquiring the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This is a class that many evaluators and executives discount, but it can be valuable if a team acquires a top option.
The Pistons also have about $60 million in cap space. Additionally, all signs point to Cade Cunningham getting his contract extension this summer.
Due to Detroit's current situation and a disastrous 2023-24 season, the Pistons will likely have to make a decision on one or two of their young key players sooner than they would have liked. It's hard to see how a team can significantly improve its roster without parting ways with one or the other. The luxury that some players can develop in hopes of getting a hit no longer exists. Tough judgment is required.
Here, we will attempt to utilize the NBA Draft, trades, and free agency to build an improved and competitive roster for the 2024-25 season. For this exercise, we'll work under the assumption that the Pistons win the 2024 draft lottery for him. Because it makes sense for Detroit to take his No. 1 pick in an undesirable draft class.
Let's get started.
2024 NBA Draft
player added: none.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm working on the assumption that Detroit gets the No. 1 pick. One way the Pistons could add more proven NBA talent, which is needed and more practical than adding a star at this stage, is by trading picks in this year's draft.
Here's my suggestion: The Pistons trade a 2024 first-round pick (No. 1), Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren to the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith and a 2025 pick. Acquires a first-round pick (via Phoenix Suns, top -14 protected).
It's scary to part ways with both Ivey and Duren, as they're both very young and still have upside despite their rocky sophomore seasons. But this is the situation Detroit is in. To take it seriously, you have to take positive action. Stride length. Cunningham, who has the highest trade value on the team, isn't going anywhere.Ivey and Duren both have value in the league, but this free agent class oh dearDetroit can address both positions on the open market (more on that below).
In this scenario, the Pistons address a critical need on the wing, getting one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA in Bridges and a very solid 3-and-D wing in Finney-Smith. . Both players have several years left on their respective contracts. Adding those two to Author Thompson, Simone Fontequo and Quentin Grimes would mean Detroit will legitimately have a wing rotation for several years. As for the Nets, they need to start rebuilding around young players after a disappointing season and a ceiling that realistically appears to be building. The 2024 No. 1 draft pick and two recent lottery picks, Ivey and Duren, are really great players. How to start that process.
Additionally, in this trade scenario, if my math is correct, the Pistons would still have about $34 million to spend in free agency, while this deal would give the Nets about $1,500 (after acquiring the No. 1 pick). That would open up $1 million in cap space. .
free agent
Cap space: $34 million (after transaction)
With this hypothetical trade, the Pistons no longer have to target Tobias Harris, who has been linked to Detroit for years. Bridges, Finney-Smith, Thompson, and Fontecchio can all switch between both forward spots.
The Pistons still need to address the center position after reluctantly moving on from Duren. They need a player who is aggressive on defense and a legitimate lob threat for Cunningham on offense.
Nick Claxton appears.
Claxton, 25, checked off both boxes for the Pistons after becoming a free agent this summer. Speaking with league insiders, many believe he will earn around $20 million annually on the open market. For the sake of this exercise, let's say Detroit offered Claxton a three-year contract worth $66 million. He may be a little expensive, but he would give the Pistons a two-way, proven center and leave them with about $12 million in cap space.
From there, they intend to use the remaining cap space to sign a veteran backup point guard. I'd go with Delon Wright in this scenario. Assume he never makes more than $3 million a year. With about $9 million left in cap space, I would target a third big player and a low-end player. In Thomas Bryant's case, if the center opts out of his $2.8 million player option, he will wink-wink give his agent a contract that gives him between $3.2 million and $3.5 million. Bryant, a native of Rochester, New York, is very close to Isaiah Stewart.
At that point, Detroit will have about $6 million available to complete the rest of its roster, which is in pretty good shape at this point.
2024-25 season roster
Security guard: Cade Cunningham, Marcus Sasser, Quentin Grimes, Delon Wright
Wings: Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, Simone Fontequo, Author Thompson
Biggs: Isiah Stewart, Nick Claxton, Thomas Bryant
By my calculations, in this made-up world, Detroit would have about 10 legitimate NBA rotation players on its roster, but that wasn't the case last season.
The wing has versatility and an emphasis on length and shooting. If all goes well, the Pistons will significantly address their defensive issues from preseason and add another proven shot.
Bridges is the perfect player to play alongside a player like Cunningham. And while it would take quite a bit of effort to acquire him, given his age, skill set, and the fact that Detroit didn't have to give up any future assets on him to do it. It's worth it.
Will this exact scenario play out this summer? Probably not. I'm no Nostradamus, but if the Pistons are not only better than they were last season, but dare I say, they should be watching for these types of offensive moves in order to carve a decent spot in the Eastern Conference sooner rather than later. is.
(Photo of Cade Cunningham and Mikal Bridges: Mitchell Lev/Getty Images)
