Pistons will look to build on 60-win season and more playoff success in the 2026-27 season.
2025-26 Season: 60-22, 1st Central Division, 1st Eastern Conference
The Pistons had one of the best regular seasons in team history, winning 60 games. It was the third-best season by wins and winning percentage. Only the 2006 and 1989 teams had more wins and a better winning percentage.
The Pistons lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games after having a 2-0 lead in the series. Overall, after 60 wins and having a two-game lead in the series, a disappointing end in the playoffs.
Points For: 117.8 (8th/30)
Points Against: 109.6 (3rd/30)
2026-27 Key Subtractions
Tobias Harris (F) - San Antonio Spurs; Isaiah Stewart (C) - Memphis Grizzlies; Marcus Sasser (G) - Dallas Mavericks; Caris LeVert (G) - Milwaukee Bucks.
Losing Harris and Stewart will be a test to new players embracing the Piston culture and the chemistry of the team. Both embodied the toughness and moxie that was the identity of the franchise during the “Bad Boy” and “Going to Work” eras that won NBA Championships.
Sasser mainly played clean-up minutes, but he has been there for the resurgence. LeVert was experienced and averaged 19.2 minutes and 7.4 points a game last season.
2026-27 Key Additions
John Collins (F), Isaiah Joe (G), Taurean Prince (F).
Collins and Joe were the biggest acquisitions for the Pistons this offseason. Collins averaged 13.6 points a game last season and shot 40.6% from three, 89/219. His athletic ability finishing at the rim and shooting will help the Pistons space the floor and be more of a perimeter threat.
Also adding to the shooting is Joe, a three-point specialist. He made 189 threes on 428 attempts (42.6%) in only 21.2 minutes per game. Prince will add some depth and can shoot when called upon. He made 61 of 140 three-point attempts last season at 43.6%, while averaging 9.2 points a game.
Offseason: Mission Accomplished, but It Wasn’t Easy
The main mission, signing All-Star and Third Team All-NBA center Jalen Duren, was accomplished, even if it didn’t go as planned. The negotiations went back and forth, then reportedly having an issue when a weight clause was added. It took until the day of the deadline, but Duren accepted a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to stay with the Pistons and avoid signing the qualifying offer.
They also re-signed Ausar Thompson to a rookie-scale five-year, $155 million contract. Thompson was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, also finishing third for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Most people felt and still feel that the Pistons didn’t do enough to keep themselves among not only the best teams in the Eastern Conference, but in the entire NBA. The opinion is that they need a secondary scorer or “Robin” to Cade Cunningham’s “Batman.”
I wouldn’t call either Collins or Joe a “Robin,” but I do feel they will both provide improved shooting options compared to last season. Will the defense decline without Stewart? Possibly. Though I feel that elevating the scoring was necessary, they accomplished that to some level.
Is it enough to compete with an improved Eastern Conference, let alone the top teams in the West, is the question.
Roster
The Pistons now are committed to building around their top three players, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson, along with newcomer John Collins. Ron Holland, Paul Reed, and Daniss Jenkins will have key roles coming off of the bench. Rookie first-round draft pick Ebuka Okorie will need time before making an impact.
Depth Chart
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham | Duncan Robinson | Ausar Thompson | John Collins | Jalen Duren |
| Daniss Jenkins | Isaiah Joe | Duncan Robinson | Ron Holland | Paul Reed |
| Ebuka Okorie | Kevin Huerter/Javonte Green | Isaiah Joe | Taurean Prince | John Collins |
Reserves: EJ Harkless (PG), Chaz Lanier (G), Tolu Smith (C), Isaac Jones (F), Ugonna Onyenso (C), John Ukomadu (F), Brice Williams (G/F).
Guards
This group starts with All-Star and All-NBA First Team superstar Cunningham. He has become one of the best players in the entire NBA and is just 25 years old. Robinson and Joe will provide the shooting. Jenkins will come in as a backup to Cunningham but has proved he is very capable.
Forwards
New acquisition Collins will need to lead this group offensively, and Thompson will be a defensive stalwart, and hopefully grow on the offensive end. Holland will look to expand his role; Green also has his opportunities to play tough defense.
Centers
Duren was very important to this team's ceiling. He has things to improve, but All-Star and Third Team All-NBA centers don’t just fall off trees. Paul Reed will have a huge role; he showed he can be productive late in the season and in the playoffs.
Like a broken record, the team will go as far as Cunningham can take them. I think Duren will be motivated for a big season and wanting to prove he is worth $200 million. Jenkins impressed, and I think could become a great change of pace for the Pistons and even play with Cunningham. Collins and Joe will need to fulfill the reason they were brought to Detroit, that is, to shoot and score the basketball.
Overall Outlook
Like a broken record, the team will go as far as Cunningham can take them. I think Duren will be motivated for a big season and wanting to prove he is worth $200 million. Thompson, already a defensive star, will look to improve scoring. Collins is an upgrade over Harris athletically; he is more explosive and a better finisher at this point in their careers.
Jenkins impressed, and I think could become a great change of pace for the Pistons and even play with Cunningham. Collins and Joe will need to fulfill the reason they were brought to Detroit, that is, to shoot and score the basketball.
Holland is due to step up and grow his game, especially on the offensive end. He will have his chance to impact this team.
Prediction
I do think this is a better team than last season. That being said, the Eastern Conference on paper is tougher this season. Jayson Tatum is back with the Boston Celtics, and Tyrese Haliburton returned to the Indiana Pacers. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joined the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the team who beat them in the playoffs last season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is now with the Miami Heat, and the reigning champions are the New York Knicks.
It is a tougher task this season, just getting to the NBA Finals, let alone the teams in the Western Conference.
Right now, they are missing the second perimeter player that will allow them to have enough success in the playoffs when defense ramps up. The Pistons had problems when the Cavaliers made someone else other than Cunningham beat them.
I think the Pistons will make the playoffs; however, they again lose in an earlier round and don’t make the NBA Finals. That is, if this team stays constructed as it is today.
First Game
The season-opening game is Tuesday, October 20th, 3:00 p.m. ET, in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. Boston Celtics @ Pistons.
