The Detroit Pistons have one of the most talented young cores in the NBA and are finally ready to start climbing out of the cellar into sustained NBA contention.
They have a star in Cade Cunningham, another electric guard in Jaden Ivey, and tough players like Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart who thrive in their roles and are going to get even better.
The Pistons are on the cusp of having something special, and Troy Weaver deserves credit for his complete transformation of the team.
I don’t think anyone considers Detroit a title contender next season, but after a strong finish to last year and some nice additions, they could definitely be frisky and potentially even sniff the play-in or playoffs, though it is definitely a long shot given the age of their roster.
One ESPN analyst thinks that is exactly what is going to happen and is very high on the future of the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons will rule the Eastern Conference soon according to JJ Redick
On a recent episode of the Old Man and the Three podcast, ESPN analyst JJ Redick named the Pistons as the young team he is most excited to see.
Redick had this to say about the future of the Detroit Pistons:
"“Obviously Cade, but Saddiq Bey, Jaden Ivey looked great in summer league before he got hurt, and Isaiah Stewart I’m a big fan of. I think he’s a guy that stars in his role. … Troy Weaver has just done an outstanding job…I’m excited to see them play over the next two or three years, cause I think, in two or three years they will be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.”"
I knew I loved you JJ Redick!
JJ did go on to qualify that statement by saying this largely depends on what Cade Cunningham becomes, as the Pistons need him to become the franchise player they’ve been waiting for 27 years to find.
It’s probably not going to happen overnight, but the Detroit Pistons are on the verge of being good and the national media are starting to see it.