Predicting team awards for the Pistons next season

DPOY: Jalen Duren

Remember when I mentioned if Jalen Duren keeps his scoring and rebounds similar, but also improves on defense he could win Detroit’s MIP? I actually think he does just that. While the award will eventually go to Ausar, as already discussed, I think Duren does take a major step defensively and becomes Detroit’s Defensive Player of the Year. 

Last season, before his ankle injury, Jalen was actually playing pretty good defense. Not great, but showed the potential was there. His play on that end declined to horrendous levels once he returned, but there were questions about his health at play. Duren will now be in year three, with a defensive- minded head coach, and new developmental big man assistant coach, Vitaly Potapenko. The tools are all there, Duren just has to put it together.

Is this just wishful thinking because Duren being an elite rim protector would solve a ton of issues with this team? Maybe. Only one way to find out. 

OPOY: Cade Cunningham

As already touched on, Detroit’s shooting will be far improved this year thanks to the veterans who were brought in. For years, the Pistons have been at the bottom of the league in shooting and offense, but finally, they should be turning these numbers around. With that being said, there is no other answer to who will be offensive player of the year than Cade Cunningham. We’ve already gone into the details on why this season will be so huge for the point guard, and that will be evident on the offensive end. 

Cade finishes his first year after the max rookie extension with two different team awards and hopefully an All-Star appearance.