The Detroit Pistons are hoping the 2024-25 schedule is easier on them than last year’s was.
We all know the numbers by now: 14 wins, 28-game losing streak, $65 million in salary going to Monte Williams to enjoy his retirement, fired after one miserable season.
Trajan Langdon brought skeptical hope as the new team president, adding some much-needed shooting and veteran experience to a roster that had neither.
It’s hard to imagine things going worse for the Pistons next season, but if they don’t make clear strides in both the standings and development, the questions being asked about the young core will only be amplified, starting with Cade Cunningham, who just inked a max extension.
The Pistons will be tested right away with a brutal start to the schedule that will pit them against the class of the Eastern Conference.
Pistons schedule: Does the NBA hate Detroit?
If you were hoping the Pistons would get out to a fast start, think again, they have a brutal first six games that could put them in an early hole.
-10/23 vs. Pacers 7:30 PM ET
-10/25 @ Cleveland 7:30 PM ET
-10/26 vs. Boston 7:00 PM ET
-10/28 @ Miami 7:30 PM ET
-10/30 @ Philadelphia
-11/1 vs. Knicks 7:00 PM ET
Ho hum, just six of the best eight teams in the Eastern Conference, including both of last year’s teams in the East Finals and the second game of a back-to-back against the defending champions.
Does the NBA hate Detroit?
There is a good chance the Pistons will be 0-6 before the 2nd day of November. And if they are, you can bet the talk will be loud after last year's debacle.
Maybe they can catch some good teams napping, and a lot of these players just played in the Olympics, so who knows, maybe an energized young team can run them off the court on the right night. I’m grasping for straws here.
The end of the season isn’t much better, as the Pistons have the Grizzlies, Kings, Knicks and two against the Bucks to finish the season. You can see the whole Pistons schedule here.
We will have plenty more in the coming days, but for now, it’s not the opening to the schedule we were hoping for a team with young players and a lot of new faces.