The Detroit Pistons are 10 games away from completing what has been a disappointing season.
The Pistons are not only worse than they were last year, but missed valuable developmental time because of injuries, making it a lost season in many ways.
There is definitely plenty to build on, as Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren is a good starting point, and the Pistons will likely have a top-5 pick in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft.
They have the cap space to add an impact free agent or to use it to absorb a contract, so fans are hoping next year will finally be the year when the Detroit Pistons are competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Troy Weaver’s rebuild will under more pressure this offseason to yield results in the form of a cohesive roster and some wins, but there will be one thing holding him back.
Detroit Pistons’ future draft picks
There are some quality free agents available this offseason, but few that jump out as immediate remedies to Detroit’s’ biggest need, which is to find some talent, defense and shooting on the wing.
But cap space can be used in a lot of ways, particularly to use in trades with teams trying to shed money. Unfortunately, making a trade for a star level player generally requires plenty of draft assets, which is where the Detroit Pistons come up short.
Detroit still owes a first-round pick to the New York Knicks (via Houston and OKC) from the trade that landed them Isaiah Stewart. The Pistons sent out Christian Wood and a heavily protected first rounder to get Stewart, a move that looks questionable in hindsight.
According to RealGM, here are the protections still in place on that pick:
- 2023 – 1-18 Own; 19-30 to NYK (via HOU to OKC)
- 2024 – 1-18 Own; 19-30 to NYK (via HOU to OKC) if not already settled
- 2025 – 1-13 Own; 14-30 to NYK (via HOU to OKC) if not already settled
- 2026 – 1-11 Own; 12-30 to NYK (via HOU to OKC) if not already settled
- 2027 – 1-9 Own; 10-30 to NYK (via HOU to OKC) if not already settled
- 2028 – Own
- 2029 – Own
As you can see, the pick is not going to convey this season, and unless there is big improvement, there is a good chance it won’t convey next year either. The Detroit Pistons don’t own their own pick outright until 2028, though hopefully by then they will be good enough for that pick to have finally conveyed to the Knicks.
It’s not a disaster by any means, but it will hamper the Detroit Pistons ability to make a big trade this offseason. Troy Weaver is going to have to get creative if he wants to add talent outside of free agency as he tries to make good on a restoration that is moving slowly.