GM survey shows hope and ongoing problems for the Pistons

Fans of the Detroit Pistons have been sold a steady diet of one thing over the last five years: hope. 

The results weren’t there on the court but we were promised they would be soon and with each passing year we got more of the same. 

With a new team president, coaching staff and roster, that hope was buoyed but Pistons fans are cautiously optimistic at best, as we’ve heard all of these lines before. 

That hope was well represented in a recent survey of NBA GMs conducted by the league, which not only showed the Pistons’ biggest ongoing problems but offered another generous helping of hope. 

NBA GM survey: Hope and challenges for the Detroit Pistons 

Detroit’s biggest problem over this 5-year stretch of atrociousness is that they don’t have an established star player. 

They have hope for one in Cade Cunningham with Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ron Holland II still pending.  

The Pistons didn’t show up in any of the categories that would suggest a playoff team, as none of their guys received votes as the best at their position, the team wasn’t picked to win the Conference or make the playoffs. 

Where they did show up is in the categories of hope, things like “who will have a breakout season” and “who has the most promising young core." 

Cade Cunningham tied for 5th with seven percent of the votes for which player will have a breakout season, with Ausar Thompson also receiving votes. Let’s face it, most of whatever chance the Pistons have of getting out of this mess rests on the shoulders of these two players, who are the Pistons’ best chance for stars who could eventually show up in better categories. 

The Pistons also got votes for most improved team, which wouldn’t be saying much, as they could double their win total from last season and still be bad. But it’s hopeful that other GMs see the vision and have faith that Trajan Langdon is the guy to see it through. 

Ron Holland III received votes for Rookie of the Year and rookie who will be the best player in five years, which is interesting, as he didn’t get much love in these categories just a few weeks ago. He’s looked good in two preseason games so far, and though he has to fight to make the rotation, he’s already shown how he can impact games. 

The Pistons were just 5th in the “most promising young core” category, getting three percent of the votes, which is disappointing and shows another big problem. After five years of tanking and rebuilding, the Pistons are still well behind teams like OKC, Houston, Orlando and San Antonio in terms of young talent. 

Those teams had more assets to start with, so had an advantage, but the Pistons have had a top-5 pick in the last four drafts and still don’t have a guaranteed star and have a lot of question marks about roster fit with their young players. 

JB Bickerstaff tied for 2nd with 20 percent of the votes for which new coach will make the biggest impact, and I have to say, the differences are already showing. The defense has looked tighter in the preseason, and the offense, while still clunky, is showing signs of how it can work. 

The Pistons are not without hope, as there is talent, a smart team president and a better coach, but hope is all it is until they show it’s anything more.