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Detroit Pistons
Aug 19, 2025 12:49 PM EDT
The Detroit Pistons were the surprise team in the NBA last season as they made the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing with the NBA’s worst record the prior two seasons.
It was a historic turnaround for the Pistons and many factors went into it as new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff built a new culture and their young players took another leap, primarily their star guard Cade Cunningham.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham — Source: © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Of course, the Pistons did lose some key players in free agency as Dennis Schroder signed with the Sacramento Kings and Tim Hardaway Jr. signed with the Denver Nuggets.
Malik Beasley’s career is also uncertain as he finds himself in the middle of an investigation regarding gambling allegations.
Despite these losses, the Pistons did add Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson in free agency and they will also be getting back Jaden Ivey who missed most of last season due to a broken leg.
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images — Source: Dale Young-Imagn Images
Pistons named team that could “shock the league” next season
Because of this, Detroit is expected to be a contender in the weakened East next season and Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil recently named them as a team that could “shock the league.”
“Usually, a young team like the Detroit Pistons would not be on this list, but with the weakened state of the Eastern Conference, the door is open for them to shock the league, again,” Dakhil wrote. “It might be a reach to think that Detroit can be a shock contender this season. But if Ivey can provide that production for a full season, Cunningham continues to ascend to stardom, and Ausar Thompson takes a leap, the Pistons have a chance to shock the world.”
Ausar Thompson
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) and forward Ausar Thompson (9) — Source: © Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Dakhil makes a great point about how the door is open for the Pistons to take another step forward next season in the weakened East and they may be a surprise championship contender.
Of course, the Pistons are hoping that their young core of Cunningham, Ivey, Thompson and Jalen Duren can continue to take leaps in their development after losing some key players this summer.
If they are able to do so, the Pistons may once again shock the NBA world next season as a potential top seed in the East.
About the Author
Nathaniel Holloway