Apr 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) walks away as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates the win during game four of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

'They Reloaded With Some Amazing Players' – Detroit Pistons Could be the Next Big Eastern Conference Contender, Claims Playoff Rival

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 1:09 PM ET

The Detroit Pistons qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2019 with a 50-32 regular season record, a remarkable turnaround for the franchise that was once a bottom-feeder in the Eastern Conference.

The Detroit Pistons pushed the New York Knicks to six games before bowing out of the first round. The team gained the respect of many, including Karl-Anthony Towns, who saw firsthand their upward trajectory.

“I know Detroit firsthand. Really, really, really good. One of the toughest we played all year last year. And they’re going to only be better. Ivey’s going to be back as well from injury, and they reloaded with some amazing players,” Towns said on Network with Rich Kleiman.

Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the second half during game three of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

“We got to be ready, but also for us too, we’re more comfortable with each other. We actually are going to get a training camp with each other,” he added.

Detroit Pistons News: Isaiah Stewart drops bold claim on last season’s first-round series vs. New York Knicks

Isaiah Stewart recently spoke out on the Detroit Pistons’ first-round loss on Media Day, saying that he could’ve made a huge difference if he played in the series. The 24-year-old center only played one postseason match due to injuries.

Dec 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) looks on following his three-point basket in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

“I felt have I played, the series would have turned out different and we would have been able to advance — adding what I do on defense and my task with guarding KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) in that series. So, I feel like it would have been a different outcome,” Stewart said via TalkBasket.

This year, the Detroit Pistons will enter the season with real expectations for the first time in a long while. As Karl-Anthony Towns mentioned, the team reloaded its roster with the additions of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson.