Despite their season ending in six games to the New York Knicks, the 2024-25 Detroit Pistons have nothing to hang their heads about. Coming into the season, the expectation was simple: improve. After winning just 14 games in 2023-24 — a year with a 28-game losing streak — some level of progress felt inevitable. The real question was: how much better could they be? The answer surprised many.
The Pistons increased their win total by 30, becoming the first team in NBA history to triple their wins in a single season. As the sixth seed, they clinched their first playoff appearance since 2019 and earned a Game 2 win at Madison Square Garden — their first postseason victory since 2008. While they couldn’t snap their record home playoff losing streak, Detroit sent a message to the NBA: they’re no longer a team to overlook.
With the Pistons’ 2025 offseason , they are in a pivotal position. With Cade Cunningham blossoming and a talented young core around him, the opportunity to take another leap is real.
The Pistons’ 2025 Offseason: Progress Demands Patience
Ivey Fits: Let Him Flourish
Detroit’s breakout season drew national attention — and, with it, scrutiny. One standard narrative from media pundits was that the Pistons lacked a true second scorer behind Cunningham. However, one name was unfairly overlooked in those evaluations: Jaden Ivey .
Ivey had been sidelined since January 1 due to a broken fibula, which made it easy for many to forget how impactful he was early in the season. Before the injury, he averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, shooting a career-best 46% from the field and an impressive 40.9% from beyond the arc.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff used Ivey alongside and staggered from Cunningham. The chemistry and offensive potential were evident while the team went 14-16 with Ivey in the lineup . More importantly, he delivered when it mattered. He knocked down a game-winner on November 24 against the Raptors and sealed a dramatic win over the Kings on December 27 with a game-winning four-point play.
Questions about Ivey’s return from injury will linger, but he proved himself a capable second option before going down. The shooting guard should be a key part of that evolution as Detroit’s young core grows, not left out of the conversation.
Build Smart: Pistons’ 2025 Offseason Isn’t a Race
The NBA offseason is often driven by chaos — blockbuster trades, free agency buzz, and endless speculation. There’s a good chance multiple superstars will be on the move. But the Pistons would be wise to stay out of that frenzy.
After years of rebuilding, Detroit has finally found an identity rooted in physicality, grit, and youth-led resilience. Chasing a headline-making trade could disrupt that progress, especially if it costs the team key young pieces or flexibility.
Instead of swinging for a star, the Pistons should focus on complementary players who fit their culture: high-motor defenders, floor-spacers, and veterans who can help steer a young locker room. Adding the right pieces is more important than chasing the most prominent names.
Staying patient isn’t always popular, but it often pays off. Building sustainably around Cunningham, Ivey, Jalen Duren , and Ausar Thompson is the clever play.
The Last Word
There’s a genuine reason for optimism in Detroit. The Pistons took a significant leap this season, tripling their win total, ending a playoff drought, and laying the groundwork for a promising future. Cunningham is emerging as a franchise cornerstone, and pieces like Ivey, Duren, and Thompson continue to develop.
But progress isn’t linear, and the road ahead still has traps. Media narratives may undervalue players like Ivey or pressure the team to make a splashy move to chase relevance. This offseason, the Pistons must stay disciplined. Growth built on identity, chemistry, and development will outlast any quick-fix trade or headline move.
The Pistons are on the right path. The challenge is staying true to that path, even when louder, flashier options present themselves.
Featured image: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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