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What Do The Detroit Pistons Need Headed Into The 2023 Offseason

Rebuild in Detroit Continues

Headed into the 2022-23 season, it seemed like there was some optimism for the Detroit Pistons in NBA betting. Cade Cunningham had closed the season looking fantastic, making a late push for the 2022 Rookie of the Year. Unlike other teams, the Pistons kept trying to win games late in the 2021-22 season instead of trying to get better draft lottery odds.

That would result in a worse draft position but restore some faith in the team. Detroit selected Jaden Ivey, who had a promising rookie campaign, with the fifth overall pick. The Pistons would also make a big move by trading for Bojan Bogdanović, the team’s leading scorer.

What Do The Detroit Pistons Need Headed Into The 2023 Offseason
Jaden Ivey #23 of the Detroit Pistons | Andy lyons/getty images/afp

However, Cunningham was injured early on, only playing 12 games, which ended the Pistons’ chances of being NBA picks for the postseason. Detroit would finish with the worst record in the league, 17-65. Head coach Dwane Casey was fired.

Despite that, there is still some hope for the upcoming season, and these are some NBA predictions for what the Pistons might do in the offseason.

2022-23 Season Record: 17-65

Status of Coach: Dwane Casey – Fired

Positions of Need

  • Franchise Changing Talent
  • Versatile Two-Way Wing
  • Veteran Leadership/Bench Help
  • A Lot of Floor Spacing

Possible Free Agency Plan

At first glance, there is obvious talent on this Pistons roster. There are many early first-round picks between Cunningham, Ivey, Marvin Bagley III, James Wiseman, Killian Hayes, Jalen Duren, and Isaiah Stewart.

The only issue is that many of these players operate similarly. Cunningham, Ivey, and Hayes dominate the guard/ball-handling duties, but none are elite perimeter scorers, making that a must in free agency.

It all depends on how much money Detroit is willing to spend in free agency and who they can get. They could spend big on a player who will offer spacing immediately, like Gary Trent Jr. or Jordan Clarkson. However, that doesn’t seem likely, with the possible course of action being Seth Curry, who will still cost a lot due to him possibly signing with a team with better NBA playoff odds. However, he would get many more minutes with the Pistons and be a crucial part of the team.

The big room is filled for the Pistons, with Bagley, Wiseman, Duren, and Stewart likely to play a role next season. The only issue is, once again, spacing. None of them are decent 3-point shooters, which is already a problem with the guards. To improve this group, at least one would need to leave, which seems unlikely.

Finally, and maybe the most important position of need for Detroit, comes in the wing/forward room. Last season, Bogdanović had to cover up a lot of holes, being the best perimeter wing defender and floor spacer. At 34 years old, putting so much on him again for 2023-24 would be challenging.

The Pistons could address this issue in the draft with their likely top-five pick, but they should also consider free agency to add depth. While Kelly Oubre Jr. might be the best option for the team’s situation, a rotation player might be suited for Detroit. Lonnie Walker IV could be a lot cheaper and has some upside.

First-Round Lottery Odds

  • Chances of #1 Picks – 14%
  • Chances of Top 4 Pick – 52.1%

Possible Draft Plan

The draft lottery is not till May 16, making it hard to develop a clear plan for the Pistons. According to NBA news, whoever has the first overall pick will go with French sensation Victor Wembanyama, and rightfully so.


Wembanyama is recognized as one of the best draft prospects in recent memory, with freakish height and length paired with amazing skill. While it would be easy for Detroit to select Wembanyama, getting a possible franchise-changing player could eventually lead to problems. The Pistons already have four centers on the roster, and sure, Wembanyama’s floor spacing means he can play with another big, but it still means someone will be cut from the rotation.

There will be even more questions if the Pistons don’t win the draft lottery. Scoot Henderson, a guard from the G-League Ignite team, is often considered the second-best player in the draft, but Detroit doesn’t need another guard. Brandon Miller from Alabama would be a much better fit, being a solid perimeter scorer, and could be an immediate impact. However, Miller would likely be a top-three pick, so Detroit would still need some luck on lottery night.

After that, there is some drop-off in future star talent and fit for the Pistons and dropping out of the top three picks on lottery night could hurt their NBA odds for the future.

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