Detroit Pistons: What does Detroit’s nightmare offseason look like?
Of all the teams in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons might have the most optimism heading into the 2021 NBA offseason. The Pistons finished the regular season with a record of 20-52, the second-worst record in the league.
Finishing second-worst was key to Detroit’s offseason plans because while there is still a three-way tie for lottery odds to get the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Pistons have also assured they can fall no further than down to sixth in the lottery.
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The Detroit Pistons showed promise during the regular season. Rookies Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes, and Saben Lee all showed that they have the potential to be key components in a franchise that wants to compete in the playoffs. Youngsters Hamidou Diallo and Frank Jackson showed they can play important roles on the team as well. Power forward Jerami Grant was almost an All-Star this season and is in contention for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
The Pistons have a simple plan for this offseason. More than likely they will not try to make a big splash in free agency this offseason. Rather, they will look to make a top-three pick in the upcoming draft, and retain key role-players with expiring contracts.
Troy Weaver said recently that the Pistons plan to build from within, and this is smart, as building through the draft and trades is really the only way it has ever worked in Detroit.
The plan may be simple, but nothing is guaranteed. Off-season plans go awry every year. This is what the Pistons’ offseason would look like if everything went wrong.