The Detroit Pistons have looked like a contender for majority of the season and with the NBA playoffs quickly approaching, J.B. Bickerstaff's squad is will have the opportunity to silence the noise surrounding their shorthanded squad.
Whether the team is able to return to full health during the postseason remains up in the air, but there's no doubt that the Pistons' postseason chances hinge on the potential return of MVP candidate Cade Cunningham and tone-setter Isaiah Stewart.
However, the team’s postseason aspirations aren’t the only thing hinging on the return of key players; the Motor City squad’s offseason plans could also be impacted by a setback that some argue derailed the team’s season.
According to NBA mind Bryce Simon on a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast, the Pistons fanbase could be in store for a frustrating offseason, especially if the team doesn't return to full health in the near future.
Simon believes Pistons could run it back, make minor moves
While discussing the potential offseason moves for Detroit this offseason with co-host Sam Vecenie, Simon cited the Pistons' setbacks as a reason why the team could make minimal moves this offseason.
"I do wonder if they go into the playoffs and they're not healthy, if that then causes Trajan [Langdon] to say, 'No, let's go ahead and run it back. We didn’t get the information we wanted. We weren’t healthy in the playoffs. We need to see if Jalen Duren as the No. 2 was enough. If the defensive identity and mindset were enough.'"
Simon continued giving his thoughts on what the future offseason could look like:
"I think there's more of a possibility that they don't make a big swing as opposed if they were healthy and came up short as a healthy team."
All that to say, this harsh reality is not what the team's fanbase is hoping to hear.
Pistons fanbase wants upgrades to contend now
Obviously, how the team performs in the postseason will drastically change the team's plans, especially if they do suddenly return to full health.
The frustrating part for a fanbase impatiently waiting to see their team back in the NBA Finals would be if they choose to run it back this offseason and refrain from making an aggressive push to upgrade.
Assuming Detroit does stand pat this offseason, the team will need to be ready to make a move before the 2027 NBA trade deadline should concerns about this roster—like the lack of shooters and supporting cast—persist during the 2026-27 season.
If not, the frustration from the fanbase will grow even louder than it already is.