Restored? NO! These Detroit Pistons have risen from the ashes.

DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Pistons restore never took flight and sank to historic lows. But what developed after, has soared to new heights. Despite changes, scars, failures and setbacks along the way, this 2025-26 team is hungry and far from complacent.

Most know the job former GM Troy Weaver did and the reviews are not so great. Though many credit him with the young budding nucleus, he couldn’t solve the supporting cast. Rumors of front office defragmentation were blamed as a major cause for winning just 17 and franchise worst 14 games in back to back seasons. This prompted team owner Tom Gores to hire Trajan Langdon as President of Basketball Operations to have “one voice”.

That direction lead to the hiring of coaching staff like Fred Vinson and then head coach JB Bickerstaff.

Right away it was clear Bickerstaff meant business and his players responded. Year one resulted in a swing from historic losing to the first team to go from 14 wins one season, to playoffs the next.

This isn’t a team that’s had it the easy way. But instead their success has needed a spirit of perseverance and not losing ones’ self, while maintaining a trust in the organization’s vision to win.

This stopped being a restore after Cade Cunningham returned from season ending surgery only to endure the worst season in franchise history. But he showed a resilience and a never say die attitude that characterizes the Pistons ascension as a team.

Cunningham, and the Pistons have gone from disregarded, to main attraction in national hoops conversations. So if you haven’t been checked-in, get to the scorers table now and get in the game.

The Rise of Cade Cunningham

Conversations used to center around who are the right vets to bring in, but now it’s considered a no brainier that Cade Cunningham is leader enough for this young and scrappy Pistons team.

Actually, allow me to be more appropriate. It is ALL-STAR, and ALL-NBA Cade Cunningham to you.

The Detroit star took his game to an undeniable level that proved his stats were more than empty. He was one of the main catalysts behind 44 wins and the 6th seed in last year’s playoffs.

And he is in prime position to improve on last year’s performance game averages of 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists.

Wait, WHAT?! Yes. He can improve on numbers that only he and former MVP and champ Nikola Jokic had minimums of.

Though some would suggest reducing Cunningham’s usage rate to help lower turnovers, JB Bickerstaff literally laughed at the idea. Cade had a career high 33.2% usage rate with no signs of Bickerstaff trying to lower that. This is in contrast to the previous two head coaches who aimed to lower his usage.

Superstar Cade Loading?

“I don’t say this lightly, but I put him in the level of the Tim Duncan’s and the Steph Curry’s”, Bickerstaff exclaimed. “The way that, you know, they carried the culture of their organization and brought other people along with them.”

With that admission and belief in his young leader, it’s easy to see why some have Cade as a top-5 NBA MVP candidate and a lock for All-NBA 2nd Team.

Last year he finished tied for 7th in NBA MVP voting and made All-NBA 3rd team. While a statistical improvement can be expected for Cade, all he cares about is success. He refuses to rest on what’s been done, but what they need to accomplish.

But What About That Supporting Cast?

Yesterday’s success is today’s complacency. At least to the Pistons, which is why they put a lot of stock in who they have on the roster today.

They lost three veterans that heavily contributed to the turnaround in Tim Hardaway, Jr, Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley. And just recently they were met with news of Jaden Ivey’s knee procedure keeping him out at least 4-weeks.

So where does this leave a team looking to build on last season, despite change?

Trajan Langdon was met with circumstances that threatened, in one way or another, his ability to retain the three vets, despite desiring it. But that didn’t confound him in search for helping the team maintain a a good supporting cast. After having to pivot away from re-signing Beasley to a 3-year deal during free agency, they were able to secure the services of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson.

Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson

They each provide versatility on both ends of the court both defensively and offensively. Langdon and Bickerstaff spoke to their ability to defend more positions, more physically than the outgoing veterans. So this regime was looking for more than just how to replace three point shooting. But how to best matchup with teams during the postseason, which is where their season goals are set.

Not to discount the nearly 4-three point makes a game on 9 attempts that Beasley provided, but given the circumstances they did well in free agency.

Both LeVert and Robinson have become more adept at handling the ball and facilitating, in addition to known shooting prowess. This will provide a huge boost off the bench, and if either of them starts which is likely with Ivey missing time.

Many have grown even more comfortable with Bickerstaff’s familiarity with LeVert. He was as his former coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and cited LeVert’s ability to adapt to whatever the team needed. And he did it all with the best of attitudes, contributing to his inclusion on the Pistons.

LeVert averaged 14.9 points in 26 games with the Atlanta Hawks after a trade from the Cavaliers where he averaged 10 points. Robinson brings 39% three point shooting on 6.5 attempts per game and double digit scoring on low field goal attempts. Both have shown the ability to create on their own, but should see steady production playing with Cunningham.

Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson

Jalen Duren saw his scoring take a step back this past season down to 11.8 from 13.8 points per game. But by most accounts the Pistons big man took a step forward. More than just averaging a double-double paring 10.3 rebound per game, he became a reliable option for Cunningham.

Duren and Cunningham formed the leagues top lob connection and they have their sights aimed for more.

“Being the top lob connection should never be a question,” Duren said. “But we want to be the top pick-and-roll connection in the league.”

For one of the leagues youngest players, Duren is proving to be ‘growing up’ quick with the right mindset to be great. One area of improvement could be centered on his offensive efficiency between 10-16 feet from the basket. He showed flashes of being able to facilitate from the free throw line and should have more consistent opportunities this year. But if he can also add in a few basic moves or a short jumper, that would take his next contract to that rumored $30 million a year mark his agent desires.

The Alien Has Arrived

For Ausar Thompson everything is just coming into focus. After showing promise, his offseason was taken from him last year after a blood clot. He also missed the first 25 games of the season, and was unable to fully workout under the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

But what he did show, has many in the basketball world believing great things are ahead for Thompson. His scoring, steals, assists and free throw attempts per game all improved while proving to be one of the leagues best defenders. No best young title need to be applied. Ausar Thompson is just simply one of the top 15 defenders in the NBA, and Jalen Brunson can confirm it for you.

But what has many excited is Thompson’s offensive versatility. His ability to be a secondary ball handler was put on display more and more last season. Most notably in a game versus the Philadelphia 76ers (February 7, 2025) where he filled in for an injured Cade Cunningham and played the point beautifully.

Thompson has a unique blend of speed and aggression with a dash of graceful feet and high IQ to create offense for himself or others. He’s looking to make an ALL-NBA Defensive team while wreaking havoc on the NBA’s best ball handlers and scorers.

Tobias Harris, Ron Holland and Isaiah Stewart

The old souls of the squad, regardless of age belong to the trio of Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland. In different ways they’ve each lead the supportive charge while buying in to key Bickerstaff messages. One in particular that Stewart referenced was their ability to be a “star in their own lane”. Meaning if they focused on defense, rebounding, hustle, energy, towel waiving or whatever the staff carved out for them, they’d have a place and a role.

We saw that result in a career low minutes per game for the longest tenured Piston, Isaiah Stewart. But improvement in all of his stats, defensive metrics and overall effectiveness. He became one of the most vital contributors off the bench and his injury in the Pistons is one many believe cost them verses the Knicks.

“I definitely believe we would’ve won if I was healthy,” Stewart said at Pistons 2025-26 media day.

Which shows the belief they have in themselves, and each other. It has allowed the spunky Ron Holland II to have a platform for his oh so perfect Detroit style.

Holland took a starring role during this past NBA Las Vegas Summer League. It was clear the confidence and handle on the game had improved for the young wing. But where he really impressed was in workouts and scrimmages with his teammates during the offseason. His name was routinely brought up as a player who caught their teammates eye during offseason play.

Cade Cunningham said he’s “excited to see what Ron can bring this season”. The second year forward averaged 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as a rookie, while playing full motor every second.

Uncle Tobi Still Got It

Tobias Harris is in his second stint with the Pistons. And just how the last one ended with 44 wins and a playoff appearance, so was the same with his most recent. But this time Tobias wasn’t called on to be the top option or even one of the top three. Which allowed his unique skill set to blend with the outside shooting and plus playmaking on the Pistons roster. He put up a reliable 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists, but most importantly his impact was felt in a culture changing way.

Not just as an old guy or just a voice, but as a player diving on the floor and going all out. He’d even mix it up a little more than remembered during his first stint with the Pistons. Harris proved to more than ‘have it” when he upped his averages to nearly 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1 steal per game.

People from Detroit usually refer to that as ‘Grit’, a term made famous here by Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

And something Bickerstaff, Harris and the Pistons have adopted to early success.

Opportunity Arises

There is opportunity for players like Marcus Sasser and even Daniss Jenkins, Bobi Klintman and rookie Chaz Lanier.

Sasser is the one who could excel if given a role best suited around his skill set. With Lanier, it’s known his time on the court is simplified to just shoot the three. But with Sasser they’ve tried to help his game evolve beyond a scoring combo guard to one that could also run the offense.

That is something Jenkins showed flashes of which keeps makes him an intriguing player to keep an eye on. But Sasser looks to have his scoring effectiveness back up to the 8-10 points per game mark he had as a rookie. It dipped to 6.3 points per game, while still maintaining really good shooting splits. He shot 55% inside the arc and 38% behind it on 2.7 attempts.

Want More Detroit Pistons?

Check out all of our Pistons coverage with Woodward Pistons via YouTube

Subscribe to Woodward Pistons on Apple Podcasts|Spotify|Spreaker

Photo Credit: Brandon Dent – Woodward Sports Network