The Detroit Pistons were the worst team in the NBA last season, logging just 17 wins after star Cade Cunningham went out with injury after only 12 games.
It was a lost season in many ways, as the other young players didn’t get reps with the centerpiece of the team, but both Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren still put up nice rookie numbers that have given fans hope for the future.
But the 2023-24 schedule is daunting in several ways, and it does at times feel like commissioner Adam Silver was especially cruel to Detroit.
The Pistons would likely have to double their win total (at least) to even sniff the play-in tournament, but with new additions of Monty Williams, Joe Harris, Monte Morris, Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser to go along with the return of Cade Cunningham, such a leap is realistic.
Here is a month-by-month breakdown of the Detroit Pistons’ schedule as seen through the lens of an optimistic homer.
The Detroit Pistons will go 2-2 in October
Wins: Hornets, Bulls
Losses: Heat, Thunder
The Pistons will start with three of their first four games on the road, with the home opener against the Chicago Bulls. They open on the road against the Heat and finish on the road vs. OKC. It’s probably best to play the Heat early, as they struggled in the first part of the season last year, so the Pistons do have a chance to start their first month with a winning record.
The Pistons will go 5-10 in November
Wins: Trail Blazers, Bulls, Raptors, Pacers, Wizards
Losses: Pelicans, Suns, Warriors, Bucks, 76ers, Hawks, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Lakers, Knicks
Things get ugly quickly for the Detroit Pistons, as November is a brutal month that should be the most difficult of the season. November has four back-to-backs, including against the Suns/Warriors and Lakers/Knicks. There is a stretch where Detroit plays the Pelicans, Warriors, Suns, Bucks and 76ers in consecutive games, all teams that have playoff, if not title aspirations.
The young roster will be tested right away and Monty Williams is going to have to keep them focused and motivated knowing that more wins should come later in the season.