The Detroit Pistons were the biggest surprise of the 2024-25 season, as they went on to win 44 games after finishing with a 14-68 record the year before.
J.B. Bickerstaff took over the reins of the team and changed the culture of the franchise, thereby helping the young stars on the team reach their potential.
Cade Cunningham made the All-Star team for the first time in his career, while players like Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey had splendid seasons.
The Detroit Pistons proved that they were all set to pick up from where they left off as some big moves were made in free agency.
Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert were added in free agency to give the team more depth. They also drafted Chaz Lanier in the second draft, a player who played five years in college.
All these players have had their own stories of resilience, which is what Trajan Langdon thinks is important in the league.
The Pistons were a side that did not back down from any team in the NBA last season.
Bickerstaff even went on rants during interviews to address some of the criticism his team was getting due to their style of basketball.
Many were picking them to win over the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs.
To carry this into the next season, the Pistons brought in three players who have shown a lot of resilience and mental toughness in their careers.
Robinson was on a Miami Heat team, where he often did not play games, but would get thrown into a tough situation, but he always came out on top when his number was called.
Ducan Robinson with a highly contested corner 3-point shot in Nikola Vucevic's face.
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 17, 2025
WOW
With a replay. pic.twitter.com/6kxX0Rq3Hz
LeVert had to battle multiple injuries early in his career, while Lanier had a few bad years in college before finally becoming a sensational player in his last two seasons.
Speaking of how the resilience these three bring to the roster helps the Pistons, Langdon said: “It’s a very tough league. You could have a tough game, and you’ve got to play the next night against a really good player.
“You have to be able to bounce back right away. We’re looking for high-character individuals who have toughness and resilience to be a part of winning, because you have to be able to have that mindset on an every-night basis.”
“It’s not going to go your way every night, but what are you gonna contribute on those nights? We feel that was an important piece for the quality of individuals we’re bringing in here.”
CARIS LEVERT EURO STEP LAY FOR THE WIN IN MEMPHIS pic.twitter.com/lAPQNYx3XC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 4, 2025
Last season, the Pistons showed the world that they were ready to take the next big step. After their offseason, it is clear that they will be one of the teams to beat in the East.
Cunningham was brilliant in the playoffs and will once again be key to their hopes of making a deep playoff run.
Ivey started the 2024-25 season well, but an injury meant that he would be ruled out after playing just 30 games.
Position | Player Name |
Point Guard | Cade Cunningham |
Shooting Guard | Jaden Ivey |
Small Forward | Ausar Thompson |
Power Forward | Tobias Harris |
Center | Jalen Duren |
Duren will be looking to take another leap this season and add more points to his game, as that will help him enter the conversation for the best center in the league.
Players like Robinson and LeVert are going to be key pieces who will add to their depth, which is important as showcased by reigning champions OKC Thunder.
They are trying to add Malik Beasley back to their roster, but it might be a little complicated to do that due to the salary limitations.
If they somehow find a way to add him as well to their already stacked roster, it will make them a very difficult side to beat.
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