Detroit Pistons Midseason Recap

With exactly half the 2022-23 campaign under their belts, the time has come to reevaluate expectations for the Detroit Pistons.

In October, fans were optimistic about competing for a play-in spot and a possible playoff appearance. The vision to replicate the 2021-22 Cavs-Esque jump from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to playoff consideration was set in stone. However, the erratic, unpredictable nature of the NBA plagued the Motor City and Troy Weaver's effort to restore the franchise. Riddled with recurring injuries to Cade Cunningham and what seems to be an annual altercation in LCA, this team has faced numerous adversities that derailed many, if not all, expectations for this season. 

Opening night featured a year-2 Cunningham, eager to take the league by storm and prove that the late-season heroics of his rookie campaign were no fluke; but a testament to his true potential as a capable number-one option on a playoff-caliber franchise. The Oklahoma State product put in work this offseason, gaining nearly 15 pounds of muscle - which allowed for increased physicality and comfortability initiating contact rather than falling victim to it. Highlighted by a career-high 35-point night, Cade's second season got cut short after he underwent surgery on December 16th to stabilize and promote complete healing of a left tibial stress fracture. This heartbreaking loss ultimately changed the trajectory of this season as General Manager Troy Weaver started picking up calls for Saddiq Bey shortly after. 

In December, priorities clearly shifted from exercising the "win now" mentality to gaining assets and promoting development. As the trade deadline approaches, it is no coincidence that Bogdanovic continues to be featured as the primary offensive weapon, averaging 21.0 PPG on 48.8% from the field. By inflating his statistics and, in turn, his trade value, the Pistons will possess a premier candidate to trade. Teams looking to make a playoff push will pounce at the opportunity to add a proven sharpshooter like Bojan; the Cavs, Mavs, Suns, and Lakers have already shown interest in the 33-year-old forward. The same applies to third-year stud Saddiq Bey, who has also gotten his fair share of interest from front offices across the NBA. These potential trades would free even more cap space for the Pistons, who could enter the 2023 offseason with upward of $60 million to spend on top-tier free agents. 

Though Cade's injury was unforeseeable, the timely decision to undergo season-ending surgery triggered a chain of events, from trade rumors to strategically restructuring the rotation. Although the rookie duo of Ivey and Duren were projected to be thrown into starting positions by mid-season, both have taken up prominent roles in the absence of Cade and Marvin Bagley III. In addition, Killian was gifted a final opportunity to prove his worth by starting over the veteran presence of Alec Burks and Cory Joseph. The initiative to start the teams' youngest players ensures rapid development but also promotes increased losses due to lack of experience. 

This raises the question of whether the Detroit Pistons are tanking. To the common eye, the answer is still up in the air. Weaver has managed to disguise a tanking initiative thus far, but if Bojan or Bey were to move by February 9th, the answer is almost a sure-fire yes. Victor Wembanyama is a generational talent and perhaps the best prospect since Lebron James. The 7-foot-4-inch unicorn has all the intangibles to dominate the league for years and would immediately impact any team that lands the #1 overall pick in the 2023 Draft. 

Though the Pistons may have exercised all their draft luck back in 2020, any effort to maximize their chances for the Wembanyama sweepstakes will go a long way. It starts by putting the team in the best position to lose as many games as possible. Troy Weaver's job is to do precisely the opposite; however, the means are justified if it means landing Wembanyama. 

As Pistons fans, embracing a tank for the remainder of the season is far from appealing. Regardless, the Detroit Pistons will lose most of their remaining 41 games, and though it will be frustrating at times, the return on this investment entails rapid growth from our young core, tremendous cap space entering the offseason, and an opportunity to draft Victor Wembanyama amongst other lottery prospects. 

Keep your heads up Motown; our time will come.