3 Takeaways from the 2024 playoffs for the Detroit Pistons

3. Home Grown Talent Works, But Takes Time

In the recent history of the NBA, we have seen superteams rise, but we have also seen the inefficiency in creating these teams highlighted by big names. Yes, there has been success in settling with signing superstars, but building a team through the draft and taking chances on rotational pieces rather than big names has shown to be more beneficial in the long run.

This year's playoffs were no exception to this, as home grown talent was everywhere. The Boston Celtics built their championship team primarily in the draft, selecting stars in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum along with taking chances on the markets to acquire players like Derrick White and Sam Hauser who had yet to show their full potential. In the last five years, the Denver Nuggets have been the biggest testament to this idea, with key players Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. all coming through the draft, creating consistent success over a multitude of years along with championships to show for. Building a team in the draft and taking chances on unproven talents has shown to work, but that success won't always come immediately, as it took Jayson Tatum seven seasons to finally bring the trophy they expected from him.

For a team that is not one of the big name landing spots in free agency, the Pistons success in team building will be found in producing home grown talent, primarily through the draft and trades. This means the front office is going to have a heavy burden and will be forced to find diamonds in the rough. Late first-round picks will need to be key rotational pieces, player development will have to be efficient in reaching untapped potential in young players, and trades will have to be made to fill in holes on the team. Going back to the team's success in the past, the championship Piston teams were filled with home grown talents in Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman etc.., or even in the chances they took on Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups. To say it plainly, no star player wants to come play in Detroit long-term, so the front office will have to be reliant on building their own talent.