NBA Prediction Sees More Growth Ahead for Detroit Pistons

The 2025 NBA offseason has not gone according to plan for the Detroit Pistons.

After falling short against the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Pistons had three key players becoming free agents in Dennis Schroder, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Malik Beasley.

The assumption is that the Pistons would retain at least two of them. At this point, all three are out of the picture as the first wave of free agency has passed.

Cade Cunningham Piston — May 1, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles on New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) in the second half during game six of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Dennis Schroder is set to join the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade. Will that deal net the Pistons Malik Monk? The basketball world is still waiting for the details of the deal to get ironed out. For the time being, the Pistons are operating without Monk in mind.

As for Tim Hardaway Jr., he’s set to join the Denver Nuggets on a one-year deal. According to reports, the veteran is signing a veteran’s minimum for the 2025-2026 NBA season.

Malik Beasley isn’t walking in free agency. Unfortunately, an off-court incident has forced the Pistons to place contract discussions with Beasley on hold. Since they had to pivot, considering the uncertainty of the situation, a similar contract offer went to Duncan Robinson instead. Right now, it seems the Pistons are going to roll without Beasley for the 2025-2026 season.

After a productive start to the offseason, adding Caris LeVert and Robinson, did the Pistons jump into Eastern Conference contender status? According to a conference-based prediction put together by The Athletic, the Pistons “could rise one tier, but not two.”

“The Pistons didn’t overpay to keep their own free agents (to say nothing of the Malik Beasley situation), instead replacing them creatively with Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson. If Cade Cunningham continues to grow and one or both of Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren takes a leap, the Pistons could sniff 50 wins,” Eric Koreen.

Jalen Duren Piston — May 1, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the first half during game six of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Improvement is good. After going 44-38 in 2024-2025, a 50-win season would be another notable jump for the Pistons, who won just 14 games in 2023-2024. If they do achieve a 50-win year, it would be the first time since the 2007-2008 NBA season.

Despite the recent improvements under JB Bickerstaff, the President of Basketball Operations, Trajan Langdon, has continued to preach patience. Detroit isn’t looking to take a premature swing on a superstar player. Instead, they are hoping to develop some of their homegrown players into major contributors.

That approach might not land them in the contender category with the New York Knicks or the Orlando Magic. Or the favorite category with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that’s not a major issue. If last year’s Pistons proved one thing, it’s that the ceiling can be higher, regardless of what the predictions state.

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