To get us through the late-Summer doldrums of the NBA, we’re reviewing teams from around the league and how their offseasons went.
Detroit Pistons
Key Additions:
Malik Beasley
Paul Reed
Tobias Harris
Ron Holland
Tim Hardaway Jr
Key Losses:
Quentin Grimes
Evan Fournier
Taj Gibson
James Wiseman
Chimezie Metu
Offseason Review and 2024-25 Season Outlook:
The biggest moves for the Pistons’ offseason came away from the actual roster. Troy Weaver was let go after a disasterous run in the front office, replaced by Trajan Langdon. One of Langdon’s first moves was to fire Monty Williams, a bold move only because of the money and years still owed on Williams’ contract, but a smart move as Williams was a truly terrible coach last season. Detroit replaced Williams with JB Bickerstaff, who has his limitations as a coach but is a solid player development coach.
As for the roster itself, it still feels like a work in progress. The Pistons finally have some shooters around Cade Cunningham, with THJ, Beasley, and Harris all capable enough to provide some much-needed spacing. And the Pistons have some good young players to try to build around with Cade, Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren. I imagine the Pistons will be much more respectable than last season, but I still expect them to be near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. It will take more than one summer to rebuild from Troy Weaver’s mistakes.
Why We Hate Them:
I still remember Jaden Ivey being so relieved when the Kings picked Keegan Murray, and the pundits in the media celebrating that Ivey wouldn’t be wasted in Sacramento. The Kings proved that media draft grades don’t mean a damn thing, but I am a petty and bitter person so I still hold a candle of hate for the Motor City. They can begin to make it up to be by trading Isaiah Stewart to Sacramento.
Two seasons prior to that, he was the coach of the year. The COY curse is real.
Spray threes! Spray threes for everyone!
Stewart in Sac would be an improvement. Where is he on their depth chart? Behind Duren for sure.
Would it have to take Huerter to get him?
IMO it would probably take Huerter and compensations but it could maybe take Lyles and McDaniels and compensations. Also it might just take Huerter straight up. Don’t know. What I do know is He is a very good power forward and backup center.
PS. If it takes Huerter I would rather have Cam Johnson.
The Head Coach and the GM have to be in tandem; it works out some of the time, but I suspect in today’s NBA, that is more the exception than the rule.
And Monty Williams is NOT a terrible coach. He was a bad fit for that roster at that time. IIRC, Monty Williams was not eager to take the Piston HC job – but they gave him the Godfather offer, and that Detroit Horse logo ended up in their bed with blood in place of lightening bolts.
IMO, it was a smart but expensive move to remove Monty Williams, because he would never ever get respect from that roster of players. They aren’t going to win much again next season, but it will be more (not a record setter). If he took them +5 in the win column that would not be enough. I don’t know that +10 would be. And the young’uns are promising, but not +10 promising. JB Bickerstaff is a good choice – smart, nice and frankly, not expected to do much but groom this team for the next Head Coach.
Ron Holland – the rook was much favored by many on this site. He looked okay at VSL though I liked the Spurs Stephon Castle a lot more. He is young and has plenty of time ahead to become special. Devin Carter is February away. Sigh.
As for Beef Stew (6’8″ #250) – I was surprised to see he has played 28 min per game two seasons ago and 31 min per game last season. I see him as behind Trey Lyles (6’9″ #235) who moves into the almost Harrison Barnes spot (not starter but almost). Does he become the small ball 5 backup for Domas? To me, as much as Sac needs a Power Forward, they also need relief to give that workhorse Sabonis some rest. He doesn’t seem it, but the guy is only human. If Chicago is as all over the place as it seems, I still like Nikola Vucevic on the Kings, or if need be Kelly Olynyk (who is now a Raptor) or Zach Collins over the young and promising Isaiah Stewart. But that’s just me.
I think Stewart would be a very good power forward next to Sabonis. When asked not to long ago he oreferred to play power forward. Very high motor, can rebound and defend and also stretch as he shoots the 3 ball around 37 and 38%.
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