The Detroit Pistons are rolling-and not just in the standings.
With a 20-5 start and a firm grip on the top spot in the Eastern Conference, Detroit is playing like a team that knows exactly who it is. And that identity isn’t built on splashy trades or chasing headlines. It’s built on continuity, chemistry, and a young core that’s starting to look like the real deal.
Yes, the Pistons have been loosely linked to big-name trade chatter-Anthony Davis’ name floated through the rumor mill last week-but league sources have downplayed any serious pursuit. The front office, by all indications, is staying the course.
This isn’t about chasing a quick fix. It’s about letting the young talent grow together, and so far, that patience is paying off.
Letting the Core Cook
This team’s average age is just 25.4, but they’re playing with the poise of a veteran group. Cade Cunningham, now 24, is blossoming into a true franchise cornerstone.
He’s tracking toward a second straight All-NBA nod and has shown the kind of poise, playmaking, and scoring punch you want in a No. 1 option. The game has slowed down for him, and the Pistons are reaping the rewards.
Jalen Duren, still just 22, has taken a big leap. His offensive game is expanding beyond lobs and put-backs.
He’s showing touch, timing, and a growing bag in the post. Defensively, he’s becoming more versatile, and his rebounding-especially on the offensive glass-is giving Detroit extra possessions and momentum swings.
Then there’s Ausar Thompson. At 22, he’s already making a case as the best point-of-attack defender in the league.
His ability to pressure the ball, contest without fouling, and stay glued to elite scorers has been a game-changer. Add in a developing midrange jumper and his knack for getting into the paint, and Thompson is emerging as a two-way force.
Duncan Robinson’s presence as a floor spacer can’t be overstated. He’s not just a shooter-he’s a movement shooter, constantly warping defenses with his off-ball activity. His gravity opens up driving lanes and forces defenders to make split-second decisions, often the wrong ones.
And Tobias Harris? He’s the steady hand.
The third-leading scorer and the guy head coach J.B. Bickerstaff calls his “safety blanket.”
Harris brings composure, shot-making, and veteran savvy to a team that’s otherwise built around youth.
Still Not at Full Strength
What’s scary for the rest of the league is that Detroit has only played one game at full strength this season-excluding two-way players. That means we haven’t even seen this group’s true ceiling yet. The chemistry is still building, the rotations are still settling, and the upside is still largely untapped.
So while the trade market is about to heat up-players signed in the offseason become eligible to be moved as of Monday-the Pistons aren’t expected to be major players. They’ll be opportunistic, sure.
But aggressive? Not likely.
The front office isn’t looking to disrupt what’s working. Not when the team is clicking and the long-term vision is finally coming into focus.
Cap Flexibility and the Long Game
Detroit has financial flexibility, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to spend big midseason. The smarter play may be waiting until summer, when the picture is clearer and the stakes are higher.
Cunningham already locked in a five-year max rookie extension this past summer, becoming the highest-paid player in franchise history. Because he made All-NBA Third Team last season, his deal starts at 30% of the 2025-26 salary cap-roughly $269 million over five years. That’s a big number, but it’s the price of doing business when you’ve got a star.
Duren could be next in line. If he keeps up this level of play, he’ll be in line for a serious payday.
Based on current projections, he could sign a four-year, $178.5 million offer sheet with another team-or a five-year, $240.7 million deal to stay in Detroit. If he makes an All-NBA team?
That number jumps to $288.8 million over five years. It’s a lot, but big men who can anchor a defense and impact the game on both ends don’t come cheap.
Thompson, too, will be eligible for a rookie-scale max extension down the line. Based on projected cap numbers, his deal could start around $46 million annually, totaling about $267 million over five years with standard raises. Again-pricey, but if his development continues, it’s a no-brainer investment.
Isaiah Stewart already signed a four-year, $60 million extension in 2023, and while the Pistons could extend him again this summer, there’s no urgency there. The bigger financial questions will come with Jaden Ivey, who’s set to hit restricted free agency alongside Duren. If Detroit wants to keep this core intact, the math gets tight fast.
But here’s the good news: As long as they keep it to Cunningham, Duren, and Thompson on max deals, the Pistons can stay under the tax line in the near term. It’s when you start adding another big contract-say, Ivey or someone acquired via trade-that things get complicated.
The Smart Play
All of this points to a clear strategy: keep building from within, make marginal upgrades where it makes sense, and let this team grow together. That’s what Detroit did last season when it added Dennis Schröder at the deadline-a savvy move that didn’t cost them much but added value.
A blockbuster deal right now? It might shake things up more than it helps.
The Pistons are already ahead of schedule. The chemistry is real.
The stars are developing. And the best version of this team might still be a few months-or a healthy stretch-away.
So don’t expect fireworks from Detroit at the deadline. This is a team playing the long game. And if the early returns are any indication, it’s a game they’re well on their way to winning.