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How Detroit Pistons’ offseason compares to the Eastern Conference elite

By Jon Young

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates with Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons after winning the game against the Houston Rockets on November 23, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates with Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons after winning the game against the Houston Rockets on November 23, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 29: Head Coach Dwane Casey talks to Reggie Jackson #1 and Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 29, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How does this help the Pistons

Key Losses: Ish Smith, Zaza Pachulia

Key Additions: Derrick Rose, Markieff Morris, Tony Snell, Michael Beasley

For argument’s sake let’s assume Detroit’s stars stay relatively healthy this season. The Pistons made the postseason last year and spent the offseason addressing some of their roster deficiencies from a season ago.

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It’s not unfathomable to see Detroit moving up a few spots in the Eastern Conference standings. If the East is as wide open as it was a season ago, and Detroit is knocking on the door of having home court advantage in the first round, maybe they will go all-in on a trade? Maybe a young player (Luke Kennard, Sekou Doumbouya) will take a leap and move the Pistons closer to the Eastern Conference elite.

This isn’t a hot take claiming that the Pistons are contenders. I am not calling this, or even predicting it. Outside of the Bucks and 76ers – the Nets are still a year out while Kevin Durant recovers from injury – there isn’t a team in the East that looks like a shoo-in for the NBA finals.

But If the Bucks or 76ers take a step back, be it to injury or roster chemistry, and the Pistons are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, it’s not unfathomable to see them taking the next step towards contention.

And as Toronto showed us last year, if you get that far, there is always a chance.

Next. What the Pistons' competition did this offseason. dark

Do you think the Pistons can make a jump to a top seed line in the Eastern Conference? Let us know in the comments or by liking Piston Powered on Facebook and following us on Twitter @PistonPowered.

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