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Detroit Pistons need to learn from Detroit Tigers’ past mistakes

By Aaron Ferguson

DETROIT, MI - JULY 28: (L-R) The Detroit Lions mascot Roary, Detroit Tigers mascot Paws and Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper stand together on the field during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 28: (L-R) The Detroit Lions mascot Roary, Detroit Tigers mascot Paws and Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper stand together on the field during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on July 28, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin is a building block for Dwane Casey. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

What the future holds

If anything, the Pistons future is uncertain. While the Tigers seem to be at least one handful of years away from playoff contention, the Pistons are looking to take the next step for Eastern Conference contention.

Griffin is signed through the 2020-21 season with a player option for the 2021-22 season. There’s a two-year window, including this season, where Griffin is the star to build around. Anything beyond that is hard to project.

It’s possible Drummond could opt-in to his 2020-21 season, which would allow the frontcourt duo to enter the loaded 2021 free agency together and unite elsewhere or go their own ways. Of course, there’s the option to stay in Detroit.

But the short-term reality is that this Pistons team isn’t good enough to win the Eastern Conference. Will they surprise some people this year? They should. But the play of Jackson and health of the stars will be key.

That also factors in whether or not to go for a star such as Bradley Beal that could catapult them into the conference contention tier with the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. That likely costs them one, if not both, of their top prospects (Kennard and Doumbouya). Is it worth it for a two-year stretch with no guarantee of extensions?

Related Story. Breaking down a Bradley Beal trade. light

Griffin, 30, is coming off of, arguably, his best season. He set a career high scoring 24.5 points per game. He also grabbed 7.5 rebounds and dished 5.4 assists per game. He added a consistent 3-point shot, hitting at a 36.2 percent clip and averaging 7 attempts per game.

Griffin’s value could increase but he could return quite a haul of young talent and picks. Pairing with a return for Drummond and the Pistons could conceivably re-tool quickly and fast track their rise by building and developing a young core.

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Last year the conversations were booming between the pro-tanking club and the fight-for-the-playoffs club. The Pistons are stuck somewhere in the middle but with their offseason moves they’re moving up the Eastern Conference, at least on paper.

Development has been a strong suit of Casey’s and that’s what he likes about Grand Rapids Drive (the Pistons’ Gatorade League affiliate) coach Donnie Tyndall.

Would Detroit fans be willing to endure several years of losing while developing a young core? The odd thing is that the Pistons are the closest thing Detroit sports fans have in terms of teams contending for a playoff spot.

While the Tigers are having their worst season in franchise history, the Lions have a positive forecast but haven’t made the playoffs since the 2016 season and have to go through the Bears, Packers and Vikings who all are as good or better on paper. The Red Wings have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons. Meanwhile the Pistons have gone twice in the last four years.

Stefanski and company need to proceed as they best see fit. With the easiest schedule in the NBA before the All-Star break, the Pistons could go for it. But if injuries and other circumstances set the Pistons back, they need to capitalize on maximizing trade value.

Next. Blake Griffin highlights disparity in market-sized attitudes. dark

Which side of the aisle do you sit on for the Pistons future? Let us know in the comments section or by chiming in on the Piston Powered Facebook page and on Twitter @PistonPowered.

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