30 Teams in 30 Days: Pistons Look to Recover from Worst Season in Club History

Cade Cunningham’s ongoing injuries have hindered Detroit’s chances of reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Off season

• Re-signing: Cade Cunningham and Simone Fontecchio
• Enrichment: Malik Beasley (free agent), coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Tim Hardaway Jr. (trade), Tobias Harris (free agent), GM Trajan Langdon, Wendell Moore Jr. (trade), Paul Reed (free agent)
• Design: Ron Holland (No. 5 pick), Cam Spencer (No. 53 pick)
• Departures: Buddy Boeheim (to Thunder), Taj Gibson (to Hornets), Quentin Grimes (to Mavericks), James Wiseman (to Pacers)
• Unsigned free agents: Troy Brown Jr., Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, Chimezie Metu, Jared Rhoden

The Last Season

There are bad seasons, and then there is what the Pistons delivered in 2023-24 — a historically bad, worst-ever performance for the franchise. The 14-68 campaign was marked by a 28-game losing streak, the longest single-season losing streak in NBA history.

Injuries limited Cade Cunningham (62 games missed) and Jalen Duren (61), but the problems ran deeper. Coach Monty Williams struggled with Jaden Ivey and struggled to connect with the rest of a young and impressionable roster; 11 players were 25 or younger. There were too many fire alarms going off on this team that couldn’t be ignored once the summer started. Cleanup was needed.

Summer Summary

If the 2023-24 mess really falls on Gov. Tom Gores, then credit him for not hesitating to spend money to clean it up. How many owners in any sport would gladly swallow the $65 million remaining on a coach’s contract a year after he was offered the richest deal (since exceeded) in coaching history?

It took guts, but it was a good message to send to the team and the fan base — and to Trajan Langdon, hired to replace GM Troy Weaver because, again, Gores wanted a fresh start. J.B. Bickerstaff was surprisingly available and the obvious choice after the Cavaliers released him after leading them to the playoffs despite a series of injuries.

In the spotlight

Tobias Harris left Philadelphia as a symbol of contempt, but Detroit will welcome him warmer in his second stint with the Pistons. He’s not under any pressure and likely won’t be tapped for a playoff spot (Detroit isn’t looking that far ahead). Plus, he’s a solid guy who will fit in and be a fresh start for him and the team.

How far can the Pistons go?

It’s not just Cunningham’s team, it’s Langdon’s team. While the Pistons certainly hope for big things from their first pick — Cunningham could be in contention for an All-Star spot if Detroit’s performance is reasonable and he stays healthy — the onus is on Langdon to get the roster in order.

Teams that win less than 20 games don’t have a strong shot at making the playoffs next year. That likely means a tough season and another trip to the draft lottery (in what is projected to be a solid 2025 draft). The good news is that there is now a fresh approach and fresh leadership. The Pistons’ main goal is to give fans reasons to stay emotionally engaged.

Next: Los Angeles Clippers | Previously: Chicago Bulls

30 teams in 30 days: Full schedule

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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can email him Herefind his archive here AND follow him on X.

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