For the 4th straight season, the Detroit Pistons have one of the worst records in the league by the holidays. ‘Tis the season!
All jokes aside, most Pistons fans have now accepted that we are in the middle of another rebuilding season, and that’s okay. These are all part of the journey that is Troy Weaver’s “restoration”.
Coming off a win over the Charlotte Hornets, the Pistons do have a couple of things going for them. Killian Hayes is continuing to play great basketball, Jalen Duren is snatching every rebound, and Isaiah Stewart’s jumpshot has some staying power.
To get into the holiday spirit, there are eight items that belong on any fans wishlist. If these eight things happen, the Pistons will have achieved another perfect “competitive-tanking” season.
Detroit Pistons’ holiday wishlist
1. Cade Cunningham successful recovery
The number one priority for the Detroit Pistons this season will be happening behind closed doors – Cade Cunningham’s rehab.
The news was expected, but still hit like a ton of bricks. After consulting with multiple team doctors and specialists, the team has opted to shut Cade down for the rest of the season to repair his injured shin. He is expected to make a full recovery before next season.
Although this is crushing to the high expectations coming into the season, a healthy Cade Cunningham is the only thing that can keep this rebuild on the tracks moving forward.
2. Killian Hayes continues to seize opporunity.
Piggy backing off the Cade injury, Killian Hayes has stepped right into a new role in the starting lineup. He has now started all but eight games he has played this season and has been really flourishing. With huge games against Dallas and Charlotte, Killian has shown that he belongs in this league.
If Killian continues this improved play, he will be a real part of the core moving forward. It might not be resulting in wins just yet, but it is relief for Pistons fans that Killian can now hold his own.
3. Saddiq Bey remains in Detroit.
Saddiq Bey should be a member of the Detroit Pistons for the forseeable future. Despite a real regression this season, Saddiq is still an integral part of this team and the version we are seeing of him right now is not the player he is.
Saddiq sets the culture and he is a big part of the current foundation. He means more to Detroit than he would other teams. Being extension-eligible this summer, many fans think this could be a great time to capitalize on his value. I just don’t see the return being worth cutting ties with a cultural focal point.