Why to take the Detroit Pistons over 24.5 wins
As I stated, 24-25 wins is still an awful team, but this would be a big leap for the Pistons, as pathetic as that is.
But you have to put last season aside, as this is a different team, so you can’t choose next year’s win total based on the worst season in franchise history.
You take the over because you believe in Cade Cunningham as a star. You think he’s going to put up All-Star numbers with a better cast around him.
Speaking of cast, if you take the over you believe the shooters Trajan Langdon signed and traded for this summer will make a meaningful difference to the ascension of the young players. Tobias Harris is past his prime, but he’ll provide stability and shooting at the four.
Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. will create space with their shooting and a full season of Simone Fontecchio is one that could yield a Most Improved Player vote or two for the sharpshooting wing.
You believe Monty Williams caused a lot of losses with his awful rotations and all-bench lineups and that him getting fired is worth five or so wins on its own.
You believe Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren will prove to be reliable players and that Ausar Thompson has star potential.
If all these things happen, the Pistons should win more than 25 games and put themselves in the mix for a play-in spot.
But when was the last time everything went well for the Pistons?