The Detroit Pistons are young, talented, and very driven. Fresh off a good, playoff debut that saw the core fare better than expected, plenty of signs simply point to further resurgence. The team and staff now have to put all that together again, though, which is a whole new challenge.

WHAT’S NEW?

While the Pistons didn’t make any major move this offseason, they acquired quite the sharpshooter in Duncan Robinson, who returns to Michigan where he first made his name in college. Detroit hopes his shooting touch adds spacing around their young core. Jaden Ivey is also back in action after missing nine months with a fractured fibula, giving the Pistons another burst of athleticism and scoring.

Meanwhile, the team added Chaz Lanier, a standout guard from the University of Tennessee, in the second round of the 2025 draft, another piece that fits their youth-driven identity. The Pistons look deeper and more mature heading into the new season.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS

After a surprising playoff run that saw them push the favored New York Knicks to six games in the 2025 playoffs, the biggest question for the Pistons is whether they can build on that success or if last year’s breakthrough was a one-off. 

The Eastern Conference isn’t particularly stacked but a ton also look like darkhorse contenders, so consistency and internal growth are key. Another major question is how close Jaden Ivey will be to his old self after returning from a significant leg injury. Can he recapture the explosiveness that made him one of the league’s most exciting young guards? Detroit’s rise depends on those answers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cade Cunningham is the unquestioned leader and no. 1 guy of the team, a playmaker and scorer who has reached All-Star and All-NBA level, and could now be geared to be a fringe MVP candidate… or better.

Again, Jaden Ivey is a crucial piece, as his health and rhythm will determine how dynamic Detroit’s backcourt can be. Then, there’s Ausar Thompson, a versatile, high-energy forward eager to prove he belongs in the same conversation as his twin brother Amen, who’s blossoming in Houston. If Ausar makes a leap, the Pistons’ young core could become one of the league’s most balanced two-way trios.

REASON FOR OPTIMISM/CONCERN:

There’s legitimate buzz in Motor City. The Pistons’ momentum from last year’s playoff push has energized a franchise long stuck in rebuild mode. With Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson forming the backbone of their future, Detroit boasts one of the league’s most promising young trios, a balanced mix of playmaking, athleticism, and interior dominance. Add improved depth and spacing around them, and it’s easy to imagine the Pistons taking another step forward. If the group stays healthy and continues to develop chemistry, there’s no telling they can’t be the next top 4 team in the East.