Pistons vs. Bulls: Which team is in a better position?
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls: Comparing rosters and contracts
If you just looked at the rosters in a vacuum, you’d probably say that Chicago has the better team, as they have two legitimate stars at the top in Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
They also have center Nikola Vucevic and the versatile Lonzo Ball, though Ball hasn’t played at all this season and only suited up 35 times in the last one. They also have defensive standout Alec Caruso and up and coming forward Patrick Williams.
But here’s the thing: That roster has only gotten them 13 more wins than the Pistons currently have but is costing A LOT more. LaVine is set to make $48 million through the 2026-27 season, DeRozan, who is 33-years-old, is set to make $28 million next year and Ball, who has spent most of his time as a Bull watching from his sofa, will be making $21 million through the 2024-25 season, ouch.
Related Story. Where the Pistons player development has failed. light
In other words, the Bulls have a whole lot of money tied up in a team that isn’t winning and doesn’t have much young talent in the pipeline.
The Pistons, on the other hand, have a bunch of young talent in Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, not to mention James Wiseman, all of whom are still on their rookie deals.
It’s possible that a fully healthy Cunningham will be as good or better than LaVine next season and he’ll still be making just $11 million. Detroit stinks, but at least they stink with young players who aren’t making much, as Bojan Bogdanovic is their highest paid player at $20 million, less than Lonzo Ball is making to not play.
The Bulls are the more talented team right now, but the Pistons have way more young talent and contract flexibility going forward, so I am pretty sure most fans in Chicago would trade their roster for Detroit’s straight up even though the Pistons have only won 15 games this season.
But what about the future?