The Detroit Pistons haven't made a splashy move this summer, but did improve around the fringes when it comes to 3-point shooting.
If that sounds vaguely familiar, it's because it's exactly what the Pistons have done for the last two offseasons, adding role players instead of disrupting their core to make a big move.
And if you recall, it worked out pretty well, as the Pistons went from 14 to 44 to 60 wins in the course of just two seasons. That success didn't buy Trajan Langdon much good will among the segment of the fanbase that was desperate for banner headlines, but he knows what he is doing, so that deja vu you are feeling is a good thing.
The Pistons want to build consistent success
It's easy to get caught up in all of the teambuilding fantasies, free agency and trades, and forget that the Pistons won 60 games last year and were the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
Yes, the playoffs did expose some weaknesses, but this is a very good young team that still has room to improve, so there was no reason to go crazy just to add a name that would get casual fans excited.
If you look at the sustainably successful teams around the NBA, they all have continuity from season to season, mostly keeping their core intact and trying to improve around them, which is what the Pistons did this summer.
It may not be the most thrilling approach, but giving up all your draft picks and flexibility for a non-star is the exact way to wreck a team. Trajan Langdon is willing to take the heat for his inactivity and wait for the perfect time to pounce.
Trajan Langdon has set his team up for a big move
I am Pistons' Homer #1, so I would have loved the Pistons to make a splashy move, so I get the fans that are disappointed. But my response to that would be to ask them what move exactly?
The Pistons were aggressively exploring all options and walked away with the conclusion that none of them were worth the price being asked and he is right.
There is also a good chance that some of these players will be available at the trade deadline with a reduced asked price, so being patient could still pay off.
Giving up all of your draft capital can be suicidal in the Apron Era, which demands an influx of cheap talent to maintain any kind of roster depth.
I know fans are sick of hearing this and I don't blame them, but you can't make wild moves just to satisfy social media fans, and even though continuity may be boring, it's the way to sustainable success.
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