The Detroit Pistons begin the 2024-25 season next week, and their regular season schedule will start off with a bang.
Their first seven games will be against contending opponents, and it’s likely that Detroit will struggle. After that stretch and into the season, however, we should learn a ton about this team this season.
It's unlikely any Pistons will take home NBA awards, but let's look at who has the best chance to take home the team versions.
Detroit Pistons MVP: Cade Cunningham
If you expected to see anyone else’s name as Detroit’s Most Valuable Player this year, I’ll have what you’re having. When healthy,Cade Cunningham has been Detroit’s best player since being drafted. Last year, with what equates to a JV roster, Cade singlehandedly carried this franchise out of their losing streak. This season, Trajan Langdon did right by Cade by not only signing him to a max rookie extension, but putting a competent roster around the face of the franchise. Cade will have veteran shooters to the left and right of him, allowing him to truly play his best game.
Cade’s offensive bag will truly be opened up this year thanks to the roster improvements. I wrote a few hot takes last month, and Cade Cunningham being an All-Star was one of them. You cannot average 24, 9, and 7, as I think he will, and not be this team’s MVP.
MIP: Ausar Thompson
Most Improved Player could truly go to a number of players this upcoming season if everything plays out as a lot of fans believe it will. If Jaden Ivey can improve his defense and shooting, he could easily deserve this award. If Jalen Duren is, once again, a double-double machine while also becoming a menace in the paint defensively, he would be more than worthy (more on that in a minute). But, in terms of all around game, I think that Ausar Thompson will improve in so many different ways that he will win MIP.
In last year’s Summer League, Ausar Thompson averaged 14, 10, 3, 2, and 2. This was obviously just SL, but the fact remains that Thompson is truly a do it all type of player. Even during the actual season, one in which Ausar was thrown in and out of the starting lineup, Ausar averaged 8.8, 6.4, 1.9, 1.1 and .9. If he is able to get into any groove, while also improving his 50 percent true shooting and 18 percent three point shooting, Ausar could easily be the Pistons most improved player.