10 takeaways from the Detroit Pistons first half of the season

2. Embracing the tank

When Gores spoke with Pistons reporters in Los Angeles, he opened up on a shifted perspective and acceptance that the team as currently constructed can’t compete at a higher level. Decimated by injuries, that is certainly true. Even healthy, this team’s ceiling wouldn’t match that of the team’s in the top half of the East.

Sometimes taking a step backwards allows for two steps forward. That’s what the Pistons are hoping for with ownership of their draft picks and a ship that is sinking.

A team full of young players can compete and be entertaining for fans. They’ll provide hope for the future. Doumbouya, Bruce Brown, Christian Wood and Kennard, when he gets healthy, will provide play hard as they continue to develop their skills for the future. That team could compete with teams in the bottom of the league, similar to Monday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

But as pieces are added and subtracted with the trade deadline and through injuries, it may not amount to wins. That leads to better chances to land a high lottery pick. Given this front office’s early returns of successful drafting – Brown, Doumbouya, Jordan Bone and signing Louis King as an undrafted free agent – that gives the Pistons a greater chance at adding a transformational prospect to spark the rebuild.