The Pistons have Detroit’s worst record. Considering the plight of the Red Wings, Tigers and Lions, it should be a dubious distinction.
Instead the Pistons, with their season closing this weekend, are perceived as an example of how fast a turnaround can occur, even before it actually transpires.
It’s an uncommon notion, somewhat odd, but not without merit.
The 2020-21 Pistons have been perfectly bad, an ideal blend of surprisingly gifted rookies and young castoffs with still budding talent. They have played just well enough to lose most nights, albeit entertainingly.
This nucleus, coupled with the NBA’s second-worst record on the cusp of the most consequential draft in eons, places the Pistons in just the right place at the perfect time.
General manager Troy Weaver entered his first draft last summer with one selection, seventh overall. He acquired the 16th and 19th overall selections that night and turned them into Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey, who are among the NBA’s top rookies. Weaver’s veteran signings, Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee, proved not only surprisingly productive, but development influencers.
Coach Dwane Casey is the classic calm hand at the wheel. His team is well versed in the ways of the current NBA -- ball movement, floor spacing, shot-chart analytics and sound defensive concepts. It’s not a coincidence most of the younger players brought in by Weaver such as Josh Jackson, Frank Jackson and Hamidou Diallo made progress. The Pistons were wise to extend Casey’s contract.
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The Pistons’ fate lies in the NBA’s convoluted draft lottery.
There are five high-end players in this draft.
Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham is the best player, it appears, but may not be the best fit for the Pistons. Cunningham’s value is in controlling the ball, and the Pistons drafted Killian Hayes seventh overall to be their primary facilitator. USC seven-footer Evan Mobley has classic stretch-big skills and would complete a formidable young inside tandem with Stewart.
Jalen Green from the G-League and Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs are incredible athletes. Green’s G-League teammate, Jonathan Kuminga, is often thrown into the discussion as the fifth-wheel, but he isn’t. He is 6'8 with a seven-foot wing span. He has an NBA-ready body, is the most versatile defender of the top five, is a strong finisher and a developing shooter.
Bey (3-point shooting), Stewart (rebounding) and Hayes (ball movement) have areas of definite strength, and also enough all-around talent to be more than role players.
So who fits best with those three?
It’s one thing to accumulate talent, it’s another to blend it into a winning formula.
Weaver has proven to be remarkably adroit at gathering talented pieces. The next step is making sure they fit together.