The Pistons may be staring at one of those draft decisions that lingers for a while.
Detroit took Ron Holland II with the fifth pick in the 2024 Draft, while Matas Buzelis slid to Chicago at No. 7. Through their early NBA runs, Buzelis has clearly been the more productive player, especially when the ball is in his hands on offense.
That gap matters because Buzelis already looks like the kind of forward Detroit has been missing. He broke out last season with 16 points per game, shooting 46% from the field and 35% from 3 on 6.4 attempts a night. He showed real self-creation, but he also fit cleanly alongside Josh Giddey’s playmaking.
The other part of Buzelis’ appeal is the two-way package. His 3-point shooting and shot-blocking put him in rare company: he’s on a very short list of players to record 150 threes and 100 blocks in a single season, with only five others since 2000. With his long wingspan and rim protection, he profiles as a natural power forward - exactly the sort of player Detroit has needed in recent seasons.
That skill set would have changed the way the Pistons could think about their core. A scorer like Buzelis would give the front office more confidence that Cade Cunningham has the kind of long-term help needed to chase bigger ambitions. It even raises the question of whether Detroit would have been more willing to make a major trade this season if Buzelis were already in place as a future second or third option.
For Chicago, the fit may only get better from here. Buzelis spent his first two seasons in an unusual situation as the Bulls moved away from the remains of their mid-tier roster and toward a real rebuild. Now the direction is clearer, with Buzelis and incoming rookie Caleb Wilson, who impressed in Summer League, giving the Bulls a firmer foundation.
That sets up Buzelis to be featured more fully next season as a long-term second option next to Wilson. From Detroit’s side, that only sharpens the regret. Holland has shown more defensive ability than Buzelis, but his offensive game has lagged, and there’s still no certainty he locks down a starting job with the Pistons.
Detroit has avoided many major draft misfires since taking Cunningham first overall in 2021. But passing on Buzelis may end up being one of the most consequential recent misses, because he brings the exact missing offensive punch and frontcourt versatility the Pistons need to keep building their identity and push to another level.
In Other News...
Jalen Duren Drama Leaves Pistons Facing A Huge Long Term Question
The Pistons have spent the early part of this offseason trying to sort out one of their most important long-term decisions, and the Jalen Duren situation has only made it more complicated. Communication between Duren and the team has continued, but there is still no contract agreement in place, even after the young center requested sign-and-trade discussions back in June. For a Detroit front office trying to build around its young core, the lack of clarity around a player with Durens size and upside is a real issue, especially with the roster already in a stage where every major decision carries extra weight.
Detroits willingness to listen on the market has added another layer to the story. The Pistons have already declined at least one trade framework involving Domantas Sabonis, a sign they are not eager to rush into a move just to resolve the tension. So the franchise is left balancing patience, leverage and the need to protect its future, while Durens next step remains unresolved and the bigger question of how he fits into the long-term picture is still hanging over the team. [Read more 🡒]
Cade Cunningham Is Chasing The Missing Piece Detroit Still Needs
Cade Cunningham is spending his offseason in Colorado, training at high elevation with a clear focus on endurance and core stability. For a player who already carries so much of Detroits offense, the work is aimed at making him more durable and more complete, especially as he tries to sharpen the physical edge that can matter over the course of a long season.
The Pistons, meanwhile, are still looking for more offensive help after re-evaluating the roster in the wake of last seasons playoff run. Cunninghams conditioning push fits that bigger picture, because Detroit needs its lead guard to stay effective when games tighten up late and possessions get heavier in the fourth quarter, even as the front office continues weighing what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Davis Rumors Ignore One Huge Problem For The Pistons
The Anthony Davis buzz around Detroit comes from a mock trade proposal that would send the Mavericks star to the Pistons, but the basketball fit looks shaky almost as soon as you dig into it. Davis and Jalen Duren would create an awkward overlap in the frontcourt, and the Pistons have not shown any appetite for changing course at center, where Duren remains a key part of what they are building.
There is also the practical side of any deal, which is where the idea starts to wobble even more. Davis has been available only sparingly since arriving in Dallas, and the contract attached to him would be a major burden for Detroit to absorb without tearing into the depth that has helped stabilize the roster, making the whole scenario feel more like speculation than a realistic path forward. [Read more 🡒]