All Pistons

NBA Fans Predict Detroit Pistons' Standing in the East

Where will the Detroit Pistons rank in the Eastern Conference next season? NBA fans make some predictions.
Mar 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;  Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) controls the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Mar 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) controls the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

In this story:


The 2024-2025 NBA season treated the Detroit Pistons surprisingly well.

After winning just 14 games two seasons ago, the Pistons made major changes to the front office and the coaching staff. Trajan Langdon replaced Troy Weaver and made some proper roster tweaks.

JB Bickerstaff replaced Monty Williams and put his own spin on the roster that changed slightly. The result? A playoff bid.

The Pistons finished the 2024-2025 NBA season with a 44-38 record. Simply getting to the Play-In would’ve been considered a major win for the Pistons, but they didn’t even have to take that route to make their way into the postseason.

With the sixth seed, the Pistons would pick up a first-round series against the New York Knicks. Considering they had notable success over the Knicks during the regular season, the Pistons had plenty of analysts viewing the Knicks as potential upset candidates.

The Pistons put up a good fight, but in the end, the playoff-tested Knicks took the first-round crown and moved on. The Pistons went into the offseason with their heads held high, knowing they have a good chance to make it back since they won’t see too much roster turnover.

Where Will the Pistons Finish in 2025-2026? NBA Fans Debate

A popular NBA social media ccount highlighted a projected Pistons depth chart this week. The post followed up with a simple question: Which seed will the Pistons finish in this time around?

@WEMBYSPUR1: Top 3/4

@scam_szn: Top 4 for sure with how the rest of the east is looking

@bigdogpistons1: 3

@r_gUnique: Play in. Orlando is back and Heat replaced Butler with 2 good players.

@PistonsLead: 3

@PistonsRecruiter: Top 5 seed

For the most part, the general fan consensus believes the Pistons will improve their standing in the Eastern Conference next year.

Last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Knicks were all ahead of the Pistons in the standings.

A few of those teams have some major obstacles to overcome next year.

The Celtics are going to miss their star forward, Jayson Tatum. After tearing his Achilles in the playoffs, Tatum’s injury could have the Celtics looking at a lost season after their cap situation forced some big roster changes this summer.

Cade Cunningha
Oct 30, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) talks with his teammates during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Indiana not only lost their franchise center, Myles Turner, but they are also going to be without their top star next year, as Tyrese Haliburton will also miss the season with an Achilles injury. The Celtics and the Pacers aren’t guaranteed to fall off, but they might not pose the same threat this time around.

Behind the Pistons, a few teams made some interesting moves, which could shoot them up the charts. The Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks will be two teams to watch after their busy offseason.

The Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers are two more teams to watch, as better health could help them improve where they stand compared to last year.


More Pistons on SI

Designer Imagines Cade Cunningham on NBA 2K26 Cover

Detroit Pistons Add Two-Way Player

Pistons Should Keep an Eye on a $60 Million Rival

Caris LeVert’s Mindset Joining the Pistons

Pistons’ Executive Lands Interest From Raptors


Published
Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

Share on XFollow JGrasso_