The Pistons are walking into 2026-27 with real weight on their shoulders after a 60-22 season set the bar high and the playoff semifinal loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers left the finish line out of reach. Even so, the offseason work points to a team aiming higher this time, with Detroit getting ready to open against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
The biggest thing to buy? Cade Cunningham pushing into true MVP territory.
He just turned in an All-NBA First Team season, finished second in the league with 9.9 assists per game, and added 23.9 points a night. He’s still the engine of everything Detroit does, and with better spacing around him now, there’s a strong case that his efficiency can climb and his ceiling can keep rising.
Ausar Thompson is another name worth leaning into. The All-Defensive First Team forward reportedly added significant muscle and spent the offseason in an intensive shooting program. Detroit views him as its second-best player, and if the offensive gains show up, he could put himself into the All-Star conversation.
There’s also reason to be cautious on a couple of fronts. Another 60-win season feels like a tough sell in a much stronger Eastern Conference, even if the Pistons are still chasing wins and an automatic playoff spot. And with the expectation shifting toward postseason success, the regular-season total may not be the cleanest measure of where this group stands.
Chemistry is another area to watch after the very public contract standoff with Jalen Duren finally ended in a five-year, $200 million extension on October 1. Reports of controversial proposed clauses, including weight restrictions, added tension to the process, and some early-season friction could still hang around as Duren and the front office work through it.
On the roster side, Detroit’s decision to move on from Tobias Harris’ playoff scoring brings both upside and risk. Harris averaged 18.1 points per game in the playoffs, and while John Collins gives the Pistons more perimeter spacing and offensive flexibility, he doesn’t replace Harris as a dependable secondary creator in tough stretches.
That means the supporting cast has to deliver sooner rather than later. Joe and rookie Ebuka Okorie are among the backups who need to step in, stay consistent, and help keep the offense humming over the course of the season.
And if there’s one thing the Pistons have already settled, it’s the Duren situation. After all the noise, the relationship is repaired for now, and Detroit has its young big man locked in, even with those leaked contract clauses still making some waves.
In Other News...
Pistons Rookie Just Made JB Bickerstaffs Rotation Decision Harder
The Pistons wrapped up the preseason with a win over Torontos backups, and the final tune-up offered one more reminder that the back end of the roster has become a real competition. Ausar Thompson continued to flash on offense, but it was rookie Ebuka Okorie who drew the attention with a 14-point burst in just nine minutes, the kind of quick-hit scoring that can change how a staff thinks about its guard depth.
Daniss Jenkins still looks like the likely opening-night backup point guard, but performances like this make the discussion a little less settled than it seemed a week ago. Okorie showed enough offensive juice to at least make JB Bickerstaff keep him in the conversation, especially if the Pistons want more creation from that spot early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Flashed Real Progress But One Problem Still Stood Out
The Pistons ended their preseason on a positive note with a 129-125 win over the Raptors, and there was enough in it to suggest the offense is starting to come together. Cade Cunningham led the way with 18 points and seven assists, while Jalen Duren added 14 points and looked sharper after missing earlier preseason games during contract negotiations. Detroits shooting and spacing both stood out, two signs that the group is beginning to look more comfortable in its new shape.
Still, the final preseason tune-up also underlined the issue that can undo all that progress if it lingers. Toronto put up 45 points in the fourth quarter, and the Pistons were called for 35 personal fouls, a reminder that the defensive end is still lagging behind the offense. The talent is there for Detroit to take a step forward, but the margin for error stays thin until the stop-the-ball issues clean up. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Rotation Battle Is Already Creating Pressure On One Newcomer
The Pistons are still sorting out their rotation with the regular season approaching, and the competition is already tightening in the backcourt. John Collins has helped himself by playing efficiently and showing real chemistry with Cade Cunningham, while Jalen Durens strong preseason and new five-year deal have only reinforced how central he is to Detroits plans.
Kevin Huerter, meanwhile, is the newcomer feeling the squeeze. Detroit has a crowded shooting guard mix with Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Joe also in the picture, and that leaves Huerter fighting for a clear lane to consistent minutes as the staff weighs fit, spacing and trust before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]