Pistons’ biggest opening-night addition may be the one who fixes Cade Cunningham’s spacing image
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The Detroit Pistons open their season against the Boston Celtics with a familiar star at the center of their plans and a new shooter who could change the geometry around him. Cade Cunningham averaged 23.9 points, 9.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds last season, leading Detroit to 60 wins and the top seed in the East. But the Pistons made only 902 3-pointers, ranking 28th in the league. That shortage of outside shooting is one of the clearest areas Detroit needed to address.
Isaiah Joe is an intriguing answer. The former Oklahoma City guard made 181 3-pointers last season in just 1,507 minutes. Over his four seasons with the Thunder, he shot better than 40% from beyond the arc. Detroit acquired Joe in an offseason move, and the NBA’s season preview identified him as a potential breakout player because the Pistons need perimeter shooting and could give him a larger role.
The shooting has to help the whole offense
Joe’s value against Boston won’t be measured only by his own points. If the Celtics’ defense has to stay attached to him outside, Cunningham may have more room to attack the lane, find a rolling big or draw help and pass to an open teammate. That is an inference from the matchup and Detroit’s roster needs, but it captures why the Pistons’ shooting upgrade matters. A few extra clean looks can change how a defense guards the entire floor.
Detroit also reshaped its frontcourt. John Collins and Taurean Prince joined the roster, while Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert and Isaiah Stewart departed. Jalen Duren remains a major part of the team’s plans after forming an All-NBA tandem with Cunningham last season. The Pistons don’t need every new piece to become a star. They need enough reliable shooting to keep defenses from collapsing toward Cunningham and Duren.
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A 60-win team still has room to grow
Opening against Boston makes the test immediate. The Celtics went 56-26 last season and have their own new-look lineup, but they are still a useful benchmark for a Detroit team trying to show that 60 wins was a foundation, not a one-year peak. Joe’s first game won’t decide Detroit’s season. It can offer an early clue about whether the Pistons have solved a problem that could matter all year.
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