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What the Detroit Pistons’ competition did this offseason

By Steven Bryant

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 07: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around Bruce Brown #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 07, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 07: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around Bruce Brown #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 07, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat had quite an opposite offseason compared to the likes of the Orlando Magic. The team traded away both Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson, gaining Jimmy Butler and Meyers Leonard from their respective teams. Dwyane Wade also officially retired from the NBA after 15 seasons.

With their 13th overall pick, the team drafted Tyler Herro out of the University of Kentucky. Herro had an eventful offseason as he was a rumored piece to trades that could’ve acquired either Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook. He also performed well in the Summer League, averaging almost 20 points per game through six games of both the Las Vegas and the Sacramento Summer Leagues.

Hot. Updating the Detroit Pistons roster and who should start. light

Leonard joins the team after seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. As a member of the Blazers, he averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game during those seven years. He did have a performance of a lifetime against the Golden State Warriors in the eventual elimination game of the Western Conference Finals. He scored 30 points to go with 12 rebounds on 12-of-16 shooting. And it was pretty impressive, regardless of the 119-117 overtime loss.

And that leaves us with the acquisition of Jimmy Butler. Butler has been an enigma in his last few seasons. Dramatically leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves to join the 76ers was one of the most bizarre instances of a star player forcing themselves out of their current situation. Now, joining his third team in as many years, Butler is finally the main man. In Minnesota, it was Karl-Anthony Towns. In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid. Now, it’s just Butler.

And I don’t see a reliable second-option. Justise Winslow had a solid season as a primary playmaker as The Ringer’s Haley O’Shaughnessy points out in this article, but I think that 43.5 win projection is a little generous. Goran Dragic was banged up last season and he’s only getting older.

I’d be surprised if the Heat eclipse the Detroit Pistons win total for the upcoming season.

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