The Detroit Pistons are coming off one of their best seasons in over a decade. After finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference in 2024, the Pistons completed a turnaround of 30 wins and qualified for the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2019.
There were numerous reasons for the Pistons' turnaround. The main being Cade Cunningham taking his game to another level. After averaging 22.7 points in the 2023-24 season, he averaged 26.1 points this season and saw his assists per game increase from 7.5 to 9.1.
Detroit Pistons newly acquired guard, Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball up the court in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena.
Detroit Pistons newly acquired guard, Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball up the court in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena.
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Dennis Schroder makes Detroit Pistons statement before free agency
Cunningham finished as a finalist for the Most Improved Player award and J.B. Bickerstaff for Coach of the Year, but neither took home the hardware. While the Pistons fell 4-2 against the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, it marked the first time since 2008 that the Pistons won a playoff game.
One player who played a role in Detroit's success was guard Dennis Schroder. The Pistons acquired him via trade in mid-December for De'Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman and three second-round picks. Schroder delivered a message on social media before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
"I want to stay in Detroit, but Detroit ain't waiting for me," said Schroder.
The Pistons have a few players set to become free agents in addition to Schroder, including Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley. The Pistons will likely look to give more minutes to Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland, and Jaden Ivey's return is likely to result in Schroder losing most of his minutes.
However, things may be uncertain regarding their free agency plans. The Pistons were likely going to look into bringing back Beasley, who finished as a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award and finished second in the league in total 3-pointers made.
But when it was reported that Beasley is at the center of a federal gambling investigation just days before the start of free agency, that'll likely be enough to scare teams off for the time being until the situation is rectified.