Morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. The NBA season is here, and it started with a bang at Little Caesars Arena. We will get to that, how the Pistons looked, some predictions, and the Ron Holland problem. Here we go.

Game 1: Boston 113, Detroit 121

It didn’t look good early, but the Pistons found a way to claw themselves back into this game and pick up an impressive win. Javonte Green was huge down the stretch (more on him later), and Duncan Robinson caught fire from beyond the arc.

Robinson ended up with 21 points on 5/9 shooting from deep and, inexplicably, attempted eight free throws. He has never averaged even four free throws per game in any season. His shooting gravity is vital to Detroit’s offense, and it was on full display last night.

Detroit started the game shooting 4/22 from deep, but then went 13/20 the rest of the way. A 23-0 run in the fourth quarter stunned the Celtics, who were cruising for the first two-thirds of the game before cracking in half.

Cade Cunningham led the team with eight assists and looked like his usual, comfortable, self. After an All-NBA Season, Cunningham appears to have not missed a step.

Jalen Duren tied Cunningham with a team-high 22 points, adding nine rebounds and a block. In his first true action since signing the extension, Duren looked like himself — a good sign for the Pistons.

Opening Night/Day?

Anyone else conflicted on a 3:00 PM start time for the FIRST NBA game of the season? On one hand, that is a weird midday opener (noon on the west coast is odd) but also convenient for those of us working at a desk and (allegedly) a propped up phone while working.

Regardless, I am just glad to have the NBA back.

Ron Holland

It took a grand total of three minutes for head coach J.B Bickerstaff to zap Ron Holland of his court time yesterday, something that may irk the unassuming Pistons fan. The former fifth-overall pick logged just 2:45, missed his only shot, and had one rebound and one assist.

Then in came Green, who played over 17 minutes, shot 5/10 from the floor (all coming from 3-point land) for a total of 19 points. He was indispensable, and turned the tide of the game. Holland never sniffed the floor again after that.

It begs the question: what are the Pistons to do with him? It is only one game, and his upside is certainly intriguing, but Detroit may not be able to wait for that potential to come to fruition. His shooting gravity is not that of Green, and the Pistons rely on that to open up their offense. Bickerstaff will always gravitate to his veterans, and Holland may be the next casualty of that storyline (looking at you, Isaac Okoro).

Oh, did you not listen to the latest episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast? That’s a shame. Here it is, and you’re welcome.

See you next week. Or maybe even after the next game, if I am feeling spicy.

Mike

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Palace of Pistons Weekly Drive. Detroit’s preseason rolls on, the Jalen Duren saga has come to a dubious conclusion, and we’re learning more about the rotation. Let’s get into it.

Jalen Duren Re-Signs

It’s been a few weeks since it happened, but starting center Jalen Duren signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million extension to remain in the Motor City. That brings to conclusion one of the more puzzling situations in the NBA this past offseason.

How we got to this point is full of peaks and valleys, and sometimes a ditch or two.

During the regular season, Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on 65% shooting, was named an All-Star, and then selected to the All-NBA Third-Team. He looked like one of the game’s blossoming young centers and, at absolute worst, Detroit’s third-best player.

But in the playoffs, those numbers plummeted to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on 51% shooting, all while getting owned by Wendell Carter Jr. The second round against Cleveland was even worse (9.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game). The Pistons needed seven games to squeak by eight-seed Orlando and got pummeled in Game 7 against the deceptively weak Cavaliers.

Duren disappeared, and that 14-game stretch sent a lot of worry not only through the organization, but across the fanbase as well. Getting outplayed is one thing, but being an active detriment while out on the court is another.

Then the two sides enter an inexplicable contractual Cold War.

The stalemate between Duren’s representation and the front office had been ongoing for months. Duren’s camp wanted a max extension in the $40-million per year range, while the Pistons were lukewarm and offered in the 30’s. Silence. Then there was a rumor of a weight-clause added by Detroit to make sure Duren didn’t loaf it up after getting the bag, only to then be removed in the end. The Pistons reportedly called Duren the team’s fourth-best player during negotiations, further souring the relationship.

Sitting next to President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon, Duren had a lot to say during his press conference. "I am a Detroit Piston,” Duren said. “I want to be a Detroit Piston for life. I want to give everything I’ve got to the Pistons and the fans." Endearing to the fans, certainly, but it is hard not to feel slightly uneasy.

But at least its over, and everyone can move on.

Preseason Musings

Game 1: Phoenix 107, Detroit 109

The highlight came from rookie Ebuka Okorie nailed the game-winning layup, but the Pistons played from behind for most of the game and had to fight their way back. One interesting wrinkle? Ausar Thompson led a third-quarter unit alongside Isaiah Joe, Kevin Huerter, John Collins, and Paul Reed. Thompson hit a few mid-range jumpers, had some good finishes at the rim, and added a steal and a block.

Game 2: Detroit 108, Washington 114

Thompson and Reed fouled out (?), then Daniss Jenkins was ejected (??), leaving Okorie to the the team’s primary scorer. He responded with a team-high 14 points in 27 minutes. It was a rough shooting night for Detroit in general, hitting just 36.8% from the field and 25% from deep. Chaz Lanier, who may be playing some real minutes this season, hit a couple of big threes in overtime, too (he also had two crucial turnovers, as well).

Have you been watching any preseason basketball? Who has stood out to you the most? Okorie certainly has some juice out of the backcourt and will quickly endear himself to fans, making him an early winner for me. And don’t forget to check out the Palace of Pistons Podcast for more coverage.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Palace of Pistons Weekly Drive. The temperature is dropping, football is frustratingly back on my television, and the new iPhones just launched.

It must almost be time for the NBA to make its return.

It’s been a while, and by that I mean a long while, since this newsletter graced your inboxes. A lot has changed in the NBA since then, and much of it impacts Detroit. Let’s get into it.

Extension SZN

No, not you, Jalen Duren.

The Pistons’ actual second-most important player, Ausar Thompson, has reportedly signed a 5-year, $155 million extension to remain in Detroit, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. That locks up the perennial All-Defense-caliber wing for the early prime of Cade Cunningham’s career, and gives the Pistons still enough room to remain flexible into those years—a good piece of business for both sides.

Thompson is a special defensive player, finishing first team All-Defense and third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last year. He had the third-most combined steals and blocks last season at 215, and is one of three players with at least 300 steals and 150 blocks since entering the NBA as the No. 5 pick in the 2023 draft. Those are wrecking-crew numbers in a league that is getting faster and where wing defenders are becoming scarcer. Thompson is a weapon on that end of the floor who can swing possessions, games, and a playoff series.

But what about Duren? Detroit’s front office has continuously made what they believe to be good-faith offers to Duren and his representation in the $190 million range, with no luck. At this point, it is fair to wonder if the All-Star center, who disappeared in the playoffs, will play on the qualifying offer and bet on himself for next summer. That is a huge, huge gamble.

A Spectacular Specter?

Do you like jerseys? How about another jersey promotion, followed by a special jersey for the promotion? Sure, I guess.

The Pistons will be one of a handful of teams to wear “specter” jerseys this upcoming season, a ghostly (and ghastly, in my opinion) color-gradient uniform that looks like a mix of the Aurora Borealis and paint thrown onto a canvas. Detroit doesn’t look awful with a mix of the teal and orange colors from the turn of the century and a very dark night sky base.

The teams getting these special editions are mostly the ones with playoff aspirations, and somehow, the Sacramento Kings, who made Russell Westbrook actually decide to retire rather than play there for another season.

A Bron-d New World

While the Pistons’ offseason was fairly quiet, most of the Eastern Conference got better in some fashion.

The Philadelphia 76ers had the best offseason of any team in the league, stealing Jaylen Brown from the rival Boston Celtics and then signing LeBron James to a contract worth less than what a few college players will make from their NIL deals. Then they paid Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dean Wade to round out the bench. A starting lineup with Tyrese Maxey, Brown, James, and Joel Embiid is awfully good.

Those pesky Toronto Raptors traded their dead weight for Kawhi Leonard, making a very tough two-headed wing monster with Scottie Barnes. The Miami Heat will be annoying, too, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, even if the rest of the roster is clunky and weird. Indiana will get Tyrese Haliburton back as well, and that team finds ways to win games.

Cleveland and Orlando gave Detroit all they could handle in the playoffs, and will return with mostly the same rosters. Boston is always lingering and will get a full year of Jayson Tatum. Oh, and the New York Knicks are the defending NBA Champions. Hard to remember the Pistons’ rolling theme from last season, given they hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.

This is a brand new conference, and Detroit’s ability to get back to the top spot will be even more difficult than it was last season. There is a world in which they are a five, six, or even a seven seed if things don’t fall right. I don't think that's likely, but the point is the East is a different beast.

Where do you think the Pistons will finish? Nobody thought they would be the number one seed in the Eastern Conference last season, and look what happened. Let us know in the comments or on social media, or tell Aaron and Jasper in the YouTube comment section. Definitely not the worst way to spend some time.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. It’s on to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs and the Pistons mounted ahead historic comeback not once but twice in their first round series against Orlando. Let’s get into that and who they will face in the first round.

But first…

Did you know there has been a Palace of Pistons Postgame Show? We’ve been testing it out, and you can bet there will be more of them coming. Alright, now we can talk about the comeback.

Subscribe now

Never in Doubt

Where do we begin? The Pistons held home court in Game 5, even though it was a slog of a game. Orlando got within two points in the middle of the third quarter, but Detroit answered with a run. Every time. Paolo Banchero and Cade Cunningham dueled it out in an instant playoff classic where they both put up 40+ points.

Game 6 could not have looked worse for the Pistons, falling behind by as many as 24 points on the road. Detroit not only erased the deficit, but built a double-digit lead of their own in the third quarter by clamping down on defense in historic fashion.

They held the Magic to just three field goals in the third quarter for a total of 11 points. Believe it or not, the fourth quarter was worse. A 19-point second-half is bad, but the Magic missed 23-straight shots (one short the NBA record). A dunk by Paolo Banchero with just under 2:30 left in the fourth quarter was Orlando’s only made field goal in the frame. One.

Talk about stealing a soul.

Detroit, rightfully, beat down Orlando in Game 7. It was written in the stars after that Game 6 meltdown, even if Banchero tried his best to will Orlando to victory. The Pistons won the series, their first since 2008. No need to discuss how different the world was then to now, it goes without saying - it was very different.

Cade Cunningham’s Superstar Moment

The Pistons looked dead in the water after losing Game 4, defeated and unsure of where to go. Here are Cunningham’s stats since that moment:

• 45 points, four rebounds, five assists in Game 5

• 32 points, 10 rebounds, three assists in Game 6

• 32 points, one rebound, 12 assists in Game 7

Those are superstar figures with your team on the line. Cunningham led the way, put the team on his shoulders, and had his first real signature playoff moment that will be remembered in the way we do for so many other greats.

Well this is Awkward

So, after that slugfest of a series, the Pistons will play *checks notes*…oh, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Well, this is awkward.

If you, reader, are not a watcher/listener of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, you’ll know that I live in Cleveland. You’ll also know that I cover the Cavs for SB Nation’s Fear the Sword. I did a solo pod when Detroit hired J.B. Bickerstaff, just to give some insight into how he would improve things from Monty Williams.

The Cavs will present a different set of problems for the Pistons, mostly because they actually have ball handlers and an offense that isn’t predicated on one guy doing everything. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden had difficulties against the lanky Toronto Raptors, but should have more wiggle room against Detroit. Key word being “should”.

Physicality will be the name of the game for the Pistons. They aren’t a good shooting team, but they are a physical one. The Cavs just got out of a physical series, and the evidence is there that they don’t play well in those type of fistfights. If Detroit can out-physical the Cavs on both sides of the ball, the Pistons will put themselves in good position to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Onto the second round. Thanks for tuning in.

Even the most pessimistic Detroit diehards, who have been without a playoff series victory from their local squad since 2008, wouldn’t have predicted these Pistons to have their backs against the wall. It’s hard to say much of anything negative about a 60-win team, especially considering this franchise’s recent history. But it’s become overwhelmingly obvious that Detroit’s weaknesses - which understandably faded out of focus amidst a spectacular regular season - have reared their heads again once the playoffs kicked off.

How We Got Here

A matchup filled to the brim with giveaways, highlighted by a series of seven turnovers in the first four minutes of Game 4, has been a thorn in the team’s side. Looking at the box scores, Cade Cunningham has been the main culprit of these turnovers. This is a team-wide issue, though. Averaging a ghastly 18.3 turnovers per game in the playoffs, Detroit trails only the Lakers (20.0) among qualified teams.

Even more concerning than the lackadaisical ball movement, though, has been the Pistons’ stagnant and predictable offense. Detroit has never been a great offensive team this year, but the roster’s ability to convert mistakes into easy scores and open looks has helped mask its deficiencies. When the Pistons engage in half-court sets, they often have the same goal: run Cade and Jalen Duren in the pick-and-roll. This simple, but effective strategy was the backbone of Detroit’s offense throughout the season.

It didn’t take long for the Magic to clamp down on that plan, though. As a result, Duren has been left without much of a purpose in the offense outside of point-blank layups and putbacks. The Pistons’ second-leading scorer has been nearly unplayable.

Game 5 (and Beyond)

Now, the fresh off back-to-back heartbreakers in Orlando, the Pistons return home for one last chance to salvage their status as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. Even a seven-game series win would likely be claimed “fraudulent” by national pundits, but over time, only the winner is remembered.

Orlando’s suffocating defense has overshadowed an inefficient offense. The Magic are shooting just 38.7 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from deep, signaling that the Pistons’ defense - namely Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson - is doing its job. With Franz Wagner’s status for Game 5 in question due to a calf strain, there is a glimmer of hope for a team that probably hasn’t deserved it.

Detroit can take advantage of the former Michigan star’s absence by throwing Thompson exclusively on Desmond Bane, who has proven to be Orlando’s only reliable perimeter threat over the last two contests. Other adjustments will be needed, too, such as handing more of Duren’s minutes to Stewart and even Paul Reed. But this is far from an insurmountable deficit for a team that knows well how it feels to end the season early.

When Playoff Basketball Hands You Lemons…

Even if Detroit fails to win three straight, though, there are still silver linings from this first-round bout, some more positive than others. One clear takeaway is that Trajan Langdon’s decision to forego trading for an established secondary ball-handler/shot creator has allowed Cunningham’s offensive responsibilities to soar too high. Cade is built to be a high-usage scorer/playmaker hybrid, but the lack of another talent to take the pressure off has only kept him from playing at his best. This will (and should be) Detroit’s top priority of the offseason, regardless of playoff outcome.

The more interesting summer decision will be with Duren, who finished second in Most Improved Player voting in 2025-26 but has crated in the playoffs, likely costing himself tens of millions of dollars in the process. Once a candidate for a rookie-scale max contract, there will be much more to discuss during Duren’s contract negotiations after his recent playoff showings.

Without a suitable replacement readily available, though, it would be surprising to see the Pistons move off of the 22-year-old completely. Instead, Detroit should try to buy lower on a high-level talent who hasn’t figured out postseason basketball yet. If the team can manage this, the Pistons will have somehow salvaged a huge victory from an undeniably disappointing playoff series.

Duren has always been expected to be part of the Pistons’ core moving forward, and while it’s difficult to say with complete certainty, he’s the type of player a team doesn’t show the door after one poor series. Instead, the Langdon and co. must decide who worked and who didn’t alongside the trio of Cunningham, Thompson, and Duren, and make upgrades accordingly.

A slightly less lucrative extension for Duren could allow Detroit to make more meaningful additions around the margins. If the right reinforcements are brought in for next season and beyond, a first-round loss will only be remembered as an (embarrassing) blip in the Pistons’ upward trajectory.

Good morning Pistons fans, and, well, anyone else that is reading this searching for answers as to why the top seed in the Eastern Conference is on the edge of elimination. There are many, so let’s get into it.

The Orlando Magic, once on the precipice of despair themselves before blowing out the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament, are leading the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 3-1 following a 94-88 victory. The series shifts to Michigan now in a do-or-die situation, but the Pistons no longer have home court advantage nor the momentum. Both reside comfortably with the Magic.

Turnover City

There are many reasons why the Pistons trail this series, but a big one is turnovers. Detroit had 16 of them in Game 3, which led to 24 Orlando points. They had 20 turnovers in Game 4, which again resulted in 23 Magic points. Cade Cunningham has 17 of those 36 turnovers, with nine of them in Game 4.

Many of these giveaways have been exceptionally juvenile. The first possession of the game was an entry pass to Jalen Duren that got swiped away very easily, a sign of things to come. Passes going out of bounds, through people’s hands, or in-opportune offensive fouls all resulted in turnovers for the Pistons and stopped any momentum they were able to gather.

Cade has had these issues before, but that is a byproduct of two things: being a high-usage player, and not having a true second high-leverage guy next to him. Aside from Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson, who have played valiantly, the rest of the team have not pulled their own weight. The margin for error is minuscule, and opposing teams know that. The result? Turnovers.

(Sigh) Jalen Duren

I don’t want to belabor the point about Duren, who continues to be a liability in an alarming way. He was…slightly better in Game 4, to the tune of 12 points and eight rebounds, but also four more turnovers (and a very critical one late in the fourth quarter). There were glimpses of the regular season version of Duren with a few put backs and a mid-range jumper in the first quarter, but nothing that stuck.

Duren attempted eight shots, the same as Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson. That is still below what he was averaging in the regular season, and the Pistons desperately need a double-double from their All-Star big.

On a side note, how much money is Duren costing himself? The two sides were unable to come to an agreement on an extension this past offseason, and this playoff performance cannot be helping his case.

Where is the Urgency?

The most damning aspect of all of this is Detroit’s seeming lack of urgency or care given the situation they were in. While trailing in the third and fourth quarter, the Pistons were methodically getting into their sets late, giving the ball away with silly turnovers, and running out lineups that had no chance of generating any offense. The Pistons lost the Cade minutes, something that cannot happen, and were getting beaten down worse with him off.

Both Harris and Bickerstaff talked about the team’s lack of urgency in their post-game press conferences. But talk is cheap. This is the same issue Bickerstaff’s Cleveland Cavaliers teams had in their playoff failures. Talking about toughness, “getting back to what we do”, and lacking energy or urgency when the going gets tough became staples of those teams in the postseason.

Well, the going is tough.

Teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit before, but its far and few between. The Pistons don’t look like a team prepared or capable of doing that.

There is little point in rehashing what Trajan Langdon and the front office could have done at the deadline to plug the obvious holes in this roster, because what’s done is done. Let's see what this Detroit team has with their backs against the wall and the crowd behind them.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to another playoff edition of the Weekly Drive. We have much to discuss, so pop an antacid and let’s get into it.

Remember just a few days ago when I said the Pistons had only a little bit to be concerned about? The team responded by thrashing the Orlando Magic in Game 2, tying the series up at one game a piece. I thought that would grease the wheels, so to speak, for a continued beat down of an inferior Magic squad.

Then Saturday afternoon happened.

The Pistons couldn’t get out of their own way in Game 3, losing to Orlando 113-105. The loss hurts a little extra given they mounted a huge comeback in the fourth quarter, briefly took the lead, and then never scored again. It was an incredibly deflating game from beginning to end, and one that has rightfully caused some panic in Detroit. None larger than the sudden collapse of their All-Star center.

Where is Jalen Duren?

There was concern after Game 1 about Duren, but it was somewhat brushed over as an anomaly. The Game 2 win masked what was another bad showing. But Game 3 was rock bottom, and it was pretty bad. So much so that J.B. Bickerstaff benched him for nine minutes in the third quarter (and a few more into the fourth) because he was actively hurting the team.

Let that sink in for a moment: Detroit’s All-Star center, and second-best player this past season, was unplayable yesterday.

Duren has almost as many turnovers (8) as shots made (10) in this series. He is shooting well under 50% from the floor, and hasn’t scooped up double digit rebounds in a game yet. Orlando is crowding the paint and taking away the two-man game with Cade Cunningham, which has really hurt Detroit’s offense. Nothing seems easy for anyone, but especially Duren. It is a mix of lost confidence and a tough matchup against an opponent that doesn’t back down to physicality.

There is really no way around it: the Pistons need Duren to be better, and quickly. He has to return to form for Game 4, or this series is going to head back to Detroit for a perilous Game 5.

Rotation Fluctuation

Bickerstaff is in a tough spot. With Duren fighting off the demons, the NBA’s Coach of the Year finalist has had to find offense from somewhere else - and that has been difficult to come by. Daniss Jenkins and Caris LeVert have not provided much. Kevin Huerter and Duncan Robinson are more three-point decoy than threat. Javonte Green led the bench in minutes yesterday, and was not very effective. Isaiah Stewart has not been as impactful, and Ron Holland is out of the rotation.

That leaves Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson as the two best running mates for Cunningham. Thompson played his best game of the series in Game 3, and Harris was integral to making the comeback late in the fourth quarter. Without those two, the Pistons would have lost by much more.

Somebody else has to step up off the bench, and Bickerstaff’s options are running dry. They need LeVert or Jenkins to start hitting some shots, or Stewart to start bullying his way to some hustle points and rebounds. Green was unplayable for the Cleveland in last year’s playoffs, and to have him lead the bench in minutes is a huge indictment on Detroit’s depth.

As it stands, Bickerstaff hasn’t pulled the right levers either. He started the fourth quarter with a lineup of Jenkins, Robinson, Thompson, Green, and Stewart. That particular group played eight (8) minutes in the regular season and had a +/- of -78.6. Needless to say it did not work yesterday either.

Identity Crisis

The long and short of it is Detroit doesn’t look like the top seed in the conference. In fact, they are lacking in nearly all of the key areas that made them the best in East during the regular season.

They are losing the rebounding battle almost routinely. Cunningham had nine turnovers, the last one a microcosm of the game itself where he tripped and lost the ball with under a minute left (which led to a Franz Wagner three). The team defense, which was among the league leaders, looks like it comes in spurts as opposed to a consistent wave. The offense is automatically stuck in the mud if the two-man game of Cunningham and Duren is stymied, which it has been.

The playoffs have a way of forcing teams out of their comfort zone, and Detroit is seeing that first hand. There doesn’t seem to be a “Plan B” when “Plan A isn’t working, and the Magic are exposing that. The Pistons do need to be better in general, but they also have to adapt to what Orlando is showing. Game 4 will be very telling where things stand with this team, one with such promise and vigor, and if they want to roll over or punch back.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. It’s been a hot minute since the last article, but I thought it made sense to check back in amidst a stressful moment in the season.

Detroit was shocked at home in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic, a team that had incredibly poor vibes for the last two weeks as they slumped into the Play-In Tournament. The Pistons never led at any point in the game, getting as close as 65-65 in the third quarter. It was a disappointing loss, and it highlighted the reasons the national media raised an eyebrow at Detroit making a deep playoff run.

Let’s be clear, this is a flawed basketball team. The lack of secondary playmakers and scoring options was on full display, as Cade Cunningham led the team with 39 points while everyone else put up 62 combined. But its the other issues popping up that are even more discouraging, as they were mostly not seen throughout the regular season.

What Happened to Jalen Duren?

The second-best player on the Pistons needs more shot attempts, plain and simple. Cunningham will take the most, and he should, but Duren took just four of them. That is less than Ausar Thompson and Daniss Jenkins, and eight fewer than his average per game post All-Star Break. Incorporating Duren into the bully ball offense is an essential component to how the Pistons pulverized opponents in the regular season. Detroit cannot abandon what has made them, and Duren, so good this season.

Wendell Carter Jr. outplayed Duren to the tune of 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The Magic were a +20 when he was on the floor, and that backs up the eye test. The Pistons were a -21 in Duren’s minutes, which also aligns with what we saw in Game 1. That level of disparity is not sustainable if the Pistons want escape the first round for the first time since the Bush Administration.

More paint touches for Duren is the minimum at this point, and ideally that gets him going on both ends of the floor. Orlando attacked the paint and generated about half of their points from that area in Game 1. The Magic are not a very good offensive team in general, but they are happy to attack the paint and generate free throw attempts.

The Pistons need more out Duren, bottom line.

Relying on Daniss Jenkins

No doubt that the emergence of Jenkins as the team’s backup point guard has been a godsend for the Pistons. Coming into the season it seemed like they were going to use LeVert, Marcus Sasser, and Jaden Ivey as its potential backup ball handlers. We had our worries about that in our season preview edition of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, but Jenkins is a good development for the long term. It’s the short term that is troubling.

Jenkins played pretty poorly in Game 1, going 1-7 from the floor and he was a team-worst -11 in his 22 minutes. He looked outmatched, in part because Orlando’s backcourt defense was very active all night. Nevertheless, the Pistons will need a better game from Jenkins in Game 2. It is fair to wonder if the moment is too big for him at this juncture of his career and if the coaching staff has a shorter leash. But this gets to one of those scary realties of this Pistons team.

Relying on Jenkins to this degree is a risky gamble. He is a good story, and by all means a good player, but the playoffs are a different animal. The alternatives are not too enticing, but they may opt to give the veteran LeVert a few extra minutes if Jenkins starts off poorly again. J.B. Bickerstaff has also toyed with LeVert as a point guard from their time in Cleveland, and there is already an established level of trust. There is risk there too, a pick-your-poison type of decision, and certainly something worth monitoring in Game 2 and beyond.

Tighten the Rotations

Speaking of Bickerstaff, he played an 11-man rotation in Game 1, a puzzling decision to say the least. Typically, playoff rotations shorten to eight or nine players to keep the best guys out there as much as possible. There is nothing to say that Bickerstaff won’t make that adjustment for Game 2, but as someone who also covered the Cleveland Cavaliers, I have seen this story play out.

LeVert and Javonte Green had four minutes of court time each, and were largely doing cardio out there. Ron Holland had 10 ineffective minutes. There needs to be a little tightening of the rotations, with a few more minutes going to Huerter and Stewart. Those guys have tangible value both with and without the ball in their hands, and their size and physicality will be necessary against an Orlando team that is up for a fight.

Stewart’s 18 minutes in Game 1 is exactly four below is season average. Taking Green’s minutes and giving them to the energetic Stewart makes plenty of sense. Holland may also see his court time reduced after his Game 1 showing, and giving them to Huerter provides the offense a little more room to breathe. You lose Holland’s defensive energy and athleticism, but it may be worth the risk to space the offense out. Neither team shot the ball well from deep in Game 1, but every advantage counts.

Bickerstaff’s rotations are not all to blame for the loss, but I think it does need a tweak to get the best players more touches and court time. This isn’t the regular season, the playoffs are all about adjustments and matchups. It is time to adjust.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. The Pistons are guaranteed to make the Play-In Tournament, and all but certain to be a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. Yes, Detroit will have at least one (and more than likely several, if not all) series with home court advantage.

Time for some playoff planning. Lets get into it.

The Closest Competition

While the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture is in constant flux, the top is less so. The Pistons are the top seed and, barring a catastrophic injury, are more than likely will keep it. Detroit has enough of a lead on New York, Cleveland, and Boston to maintain the top spot.

I would be surprised if a team caught Detroit and overtook them for the number one seed. Even with suspensions for Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, coupled with some rest for Cade Cunningham here and there, the Pistons have shown they are good enough to win games even while missing key players. There is no reason to believe that will suddenly stop being the case, especially with more teams tanki…err…strategically not winning games.

Possible First-Round Matchups

Miami Heat

If the season ended today, Detroit would (probably) be playing Miami in the first round. The Heat have the reputation of being an annoying team to play against with several playoff-tested players and arguably the best coach in the league in Erik Spoelstra. Tyler Herro has been a certified Piston-killer, but he has spent most of the season injured. The two squads have split the season series (both three-point wins for each team) and have one more game on March 8th.

The Heat have the fifth-best defense in the NBA right now and live in the paint on offense behind a two-big lineup with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. But their best lineups are actually a one-big lineup with either Andrew Wiggins or Simone Fontecchio (remember him?) at power forward and Adebayo at center. Not exactly scary, even when running things optimally.

Miami are on pace to play against the top seed for the second-straight year, and were crushed last season despite having the same “always tough” moniker. The Pistons are deeper and have the best player in the series by a considerable margin.

What to Watch for: Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart against Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware

Charlotte Hornets

Given the recent fight that resulted in four players being suspended, there is clearly some bad blood between these two teams. That being said, I am all-in on this as being the most fun potential first-round series in the league.

The Hornets have the reputation of being a bad team, and their record is not tremendous, but they are a very fun group. LaMelo Ball may be empty-stats at times, but his playmaking and crafty ball-handling could swing a game. Brandon Miller, another certified Piston-killer, is growing more and more confident. Kon Kneuppel is on pace to smash rookie three-point shooting records. I could see a feisty, all-or-nothing Hornets team make the Pistons sweat a bit. But not enough to win the series.

What to Watch for: Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart against Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges

Atlanta Hawks

The darling of the NBA offseason for the acquisitions of Nikeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis has endured a tough season, and proceeded to get more and more weird after trading Trae Young for C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert. Jalen Johnson is perhaps the most underrated star in the league, a triple-double machine who operates as the team’s offensive hub. But there are some real concerns with their offense without a true table-setting point guard like Young, but the Hawks have been a much better defensive team with him not on the floor. Give and take deal there.

Detroit should win a series against the Hawks, and fairly easily at that. But there is enough defensive firepower and Jalen Johnson star potential for Atlanta to win a game.

What to Watch for: Cade Cunningham against Dyson Daniels

Orlando Magic

The other trendy playoff pick this past summer is also enduring a tough season. That doesn’t mean the Magic are going to be a pushover come playoff time, but their offense is the bottom-third of the league and their three-point shooting is third-worst. In fact, look at any offensive metric and the Magic are more than likely near the bottom of the NBA in it.

Orlando’s acquisition of Desmond Bane (yet another Piston-killer) has not panned out, but I suppose that could change in the playoffs. Bane has been one of the best three-point shooters in the league (not this season, so far) and has enough size to man-up on defense. Anthony Black has turned a corner on both sides of the ball and has a case for Most Improved Player. Franz Wagner is still looking for a playoff cleansing after going 1-15 from the floor two years ago in a winner-take-all against Cleveland.

But the real reason Orlando hasn’t made the expected leap is because Paolo Banchero has not been good enough. He is an inefficient scorer and a bad free throw shooter despite getting to the rim a ton. The Magic have a ceiling high enough to make the Pistons sweat, but their floor is getting emphatically swept in four games.

What to Watch for: Cade Cunningham against Paulo Banchero

Who do you want the Pistons to face in the first round of the playoffs? I don’t think it really matters who they play, but there are some good matchups regardless. The Hornets would be the most fun, but the Magic can cause some problems if they find a way to get healthy and gel together. But, again, the Pistons should maul whoever they play to start the playoffs. Imagine saying that sentence two years ago.

Hey there Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. It is NBA Trade Deadline week, and that means one thing:

Chaos.

Or, more likely, speculative chaos with a smattering of disappointment and chest-puffing. For the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons…to trade, or not to trade - that is the question. Yes, I did see Hamnet the other day. Why do you ask?

Anyway, lets talk about the Pistons and the trade deadline as well as some targets, potential packages, and the harsh reality that they more than likely aren’t selling the farm. At least not yet.

Michael Porter Jr.

Maybe the most-likely big swing is Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets, who is having himself an excellent season. The former Denver Nugget is averaging 25.2 points per game on 48.5% shooting, including 39.5% from beyond the three-point arc. But there is a caveat: the Nets are hot garbage and don’t have another scorer to take shots away from MPJ, so some of his stats may be slightly inflated. Somebody has to score on that team, and Porter is more than willing to shoot (almost 19 shot attempts per game, easily a career-high).

Porter fits well with a Pistons team that is certainly in need of a secondary scorer behind Cade Cunningham. In a playoff scenario, Detroit could very easily be exposed for not having a release valve if Cunningham gets double-teamed or offense becomes tough to come by. Porter solves that, and defenses cannot sag off of him.

The issues are somewhat significant though, as Tobias Harris may have to go back to Brooklyn in return. That is a tough locker room swap, as Harris is well-respected by the young guns and is a pseudo-coach. The Nets would want a sweetener too, perhaps a few picks and/or one of Jaden Ivey or Ron Holland. This quickly delves into “uh oh” territory for a player in MPJ that has never been this good until now. Nevertheless, this is the kind of swing that does not cripple the asset cupboard nor does it handicap Detroit’s financial health for several years to come.

Chances of happening: Medium

Trey Murphy

Be still my beating heart. Trey Murphy has popped up in trade rumor mills for a few years now, but this time things are getting a little more interesting. The New Orleans Pelicans are being run by two familiar friends (volatile edition) in Troy Weaver and Joe Dumars. Arguably, and objectively, the worst front office in the NBA. Ill say it, sue me.

Murphy fits like a glove on any team, but he is essentially young Klay Thompson with a lethal long-range shot and enough size and athleticism to drive to the rack and defend. His contract is also absurdly good value at $25 million per year for the next four seasons. Sign me up.

Not so fast. Even the Pelicans aren’t that stupid (well, I don’t think they are at least) to let go of their best player without a king’s ransom. No, not the Sacramento Kings who actually just have a random (assortment of players). New Orleans should, and presumably will, ask for the moon for Murphy. I’m talking Ausar Thompson/Holland, Ivey, multiple first round picks and pick swaps plus salary to make things work financially.

That is a tough pill to swallow for a front office that has remained steadfast in “not taking extra steps” in the process. So, given that, I don’t think they will. At least not right now.

Chances of happening: Low

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Nope.

Chances of happening: Nope, but in italics

[Insert Ball-Handler Here]

That was intentional, I didn’t just forget write my player in. There are myriad players that fit that description, so here are a few (but not all possible) names: Coby White (Chicago Bulls), Ayo Dosunmu (also the Bulls), Gabe Vincent (Los Angeles Lakers), and Jose Alvarado (Pelicans).

As my podcast co-host Jasper Apollonia mentioned on last week’s show, White makes a lot of sense as an expiring contract who immediately gives you some juice off the bench. The Pistons can absorb his contract into a trade exception, give the Bulls a pick that they won’t use correctly, and see what happens. White is averaging 18.8 points per game on 45% shooting. Sure!

Dosunmu’s stock is perhaps at an all-time high and is one of the best backup guards in the league right now. The 26-year-old is averaging a career-best 14.8 points per game and shooting 44.1% from deep, the latter being top-10 in the league. Chicago may want to extend Dosunmu, but if the Pistons feel his shooting leap is real, they have plenty of assets to get him. The New York Knicks have reportedly been interested in Dosunmu, but the asking price is, according to the New York Post, “a lot”.

Gabe Vincent is more of a cost-cutting option, as his expiring $11.5 million could open up even more cap space for the Pistons next summer. But he is also the weakest option I listed here, and by a wide margin.

Alvarado is the cheapest option salary-wise and has a player option for just $4.5 million next season too. He is a quality player who finished sixth in the Sixth-Man of the Year award voting just a few seasons ago, but also flawed. Alvarado is on several team’s radars, but it appears he wants to stay with New Orleans. We will see if the Pelicans feel the same.

Will Jaden Ivey Be Traded?

This question is more of theoretical importance than actual importance, as the writing appears on the wall for Jaden Ivey. The front office is not going to give him a significant extension, if they offer him one at all, and his value around the league is not particularly high. Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? No.

I said on the latest Palace of Pistons Podcast that I don’t think Ivey will be traded before the deadline. Its a little contrarian, but the Pistons can sign-and-trade Ivey this summer and give him a fresh start while also making a bigger deal than what they could piece together in the next few days. However, it is probably more likely than not that he is in fact dealt.

There is a universe in which Ivey is the perfect slash-and-dash companion to Cunningham, a speed demon who provides ample rim pressure and collapses defenses while taking over some playmaking duties. But that universe is not this one.

This all seems like a lot, but you know what? The days of boring trade deadlines where the Pistons have to sell their scarce assets and keep the rebuilding movement going are over. Stressful? Yes. ButiIt beats the hell out of “analyzing” cutting Joe Harris and Killian Hayes.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Palace of Pistons Weekly Drive. This is going to be a little different than the usual recaps and news updates of past editions. Instead, I wanted to talk about something that is important to remember amidst this incredible season Detroit is having. There isn’t always next year. Let’s get into it.

On Sunday afternoon, I watched the Buffalo Bills defeat the young, upstart Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. It was a stinging defeat in which those pesky Jags were leading Josh Allen and the favored Bills with just a few minutes remaining. A last-second interception sealed the deal, a gut-wrenching way for Jacksonville’s season to end. I saw someone on social media tell a Jags fan “hey, you guys have a good young team and there’s always next year.”

That resonated with me, as someone who has heard that phrase a lot over the course of watching, covering, living, and dying with Cleveland sports. “There is always next year.” It is entirely within reason that the Jaguars don’t make the playoffs next season, despite some guy on social media saying otherwise.

I’m here to tell you that there is not always next year in the fast-paced world of professional sports.

Tell that to the Atlanta Hawks, who made their way to the Eastern Conference Finals just a few years ago only to have to trade Trae Young because they failed to get back to that level. It was clear to the front office that the path back to the top could not be done with Young leading the team.

Tell that to the Memphis Grizzlies, once a darling of the Western Conference, who are now listening to offers for another troubling point guard in Ja Morant. Remember, it has not been that long since the NBA saw Morant as one of the future faces of the league. That is not the case any more.

Tell that to those plucky Cleveland Cavaliers, who have seemingly been waiting to break through for four years in a row now. And this year doesn’t look any better than the last ones, despite being the most expensive team in the NBA. They are running out of time, and quickly.

What does this have to do with the Detroit Pistons?

This isn’t a warning. Its more of a reminder that there are curveballs in the NBA, perhaps more than most other professional leagues, that change everything. Trades alter the landscape in ways that make baseball and football look pedestrian, seismic shifts that twist the league in new and different ways. Injuries have completely flipped the Eastern Conference on its head, led by Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. Its a brave new world, seemingly every season.

The Pistons are having a charmed year, one that very few people could have predicted. Even the most optimistic Pistons fan could not have predicted two years ago that heading into 2026 Detroit would be first in the conference and a defensive juggernaut. And yet here we are.

I don’t like the phrase, “there’s always next year’. Because, while true, its also not true at all when you get right down to it. Its a coping mechanism for loss, sadness, and a desperate pull for optimism. That doesn’t mean teams should burn their resources and assets each and every season, but its important to recognize when the time is right to strike.

This will come to a head with the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, and the Pistons will be one of the intriguing teams to watch. They have a decision to make: go all-in on this season, or stay the course with what has been working. Its hard to argue with the results so far, but its fair to question the playoff feasibility of a team that is entirely predicated on Cade Cunningham. The playoffs are a different ballgame, a turn-based joust of matchups and schemes. Players get exposed, picked on, and sometimes downright played off the court and never heard from again in a series. Do the Pistons have enough pieces to play with when the game gets more challenging?

Whether you believe they do or not, know that this team is playoff bound. They have the moxie, energy, and seemingly unwavering confidence to figure out how to win. There is a real opportunity for them to have a special season.

Enjoy it. Savor it. Cheer for it, and see it in person if you can.

There isn’t always next year.

This increased attention has led to more narratives surrounding what was a cellar-dwelling franchise not long ago. While Cade Cunningham’s MVP candidacy and Jalen Duren’s rise to stardom have been the most prominent talking points, Detroit has also been named as a potential landing spot for several high-end talents.

It’s not always easy to decipher truthful dialogue from hyperbole, especially when a team is riding its highest in 20 years. But considering the sheer amount of storylines that have followed the Pistons so far, both with the roster they already have and what it could potentially become, there’s bound to be talking points that stick out.

Subscribe now

I’ll be taking a look at a few of these storylines, buying or selling their legitimacy in the format of Bleacher Report’s beloved “BS Meter”. The higher the number, the farther the scenario is from reality.

Scenario: Pistons Trade for Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen

Lacking adequate spacing and consistent scoring alongside Cunningham, the Pistons have arguably been linked to Lauri Markkanen more than any other squad throughout the past month.

The ninth-year forward has been a revelation for an otherwise pitiful Jazz team over the last four seasons. With a seven-foot frame and the ability to score from anywhere on the court, Markkanen’s offensive gifts would be an uber-useful addition. However, noted swindler Danny Ainge and the Jazz are seemingly asking for more than any rival franchise is willing to pay.

Markkanen would immediately become Detroit’s second-best player, but he’s far from a perfect player. His defensive deficiencies are very real, and for a team that prides itself so much on defense, the Pistons’ identity would take a hit. A trade would also cost them either Ausar Thompson or Ron Holland, along with salary filler and several first-round picks.

Knowing how much Trajan Langdon and JB Bickerstaff value their young core, it’s hard to see the Pistons give up that much for a one-time All-Star with clear flaws.

BS Meter: 8/10. Would be shocked, but crazier things have happened.

Scenario: Cade Cunningham Wins NBA MVP

Let’s see: Second-best record in the NBA? Check. Increased numbers across the board, averaging 27.5 points, 9.3 assists and 6.4 rebounds with underrated defense? Check. Outside of his concerning three-point efficiency, Cade Cunningham has managed to build upon everything he accomplished in 2023-24.

Detroit holds a 2.5-game lead over the New York Knicks in the East. In his fifth season, Cunningham has firmly cemented his case as possibly the top player in the conference, with the best chances of winning MVP to boot.

The Western Conference is a different story, however. Nearly a third of the way into the season, the Pistons trail only the Oklahoma City Thunder for the best record in the association. Led by Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, whose stats are nearly identical to his MVP campaign last year, the Thunder have an opportunity to make history at 23-1. If OKC manages to crack 70 wins, it’ll be hard to argue against back-to-back.

Meanwhile, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are doing what they usually do for the West’s second and third-best teams, respectively. Cade is winning while doing it all for the Pistons, but so are several others.

BS Meter: 5/10. Will need SGA, Jokic, and Doncic to slow down to finish in the top three.

Scenario: Pistons Trade for Mavs’ Anthony Davis

After entering the new season with playoff aspirations, the Dallas Mavericks have already gone into full-on panic mode. Kyrie Irving still hasn’t returned, Klay Thompson looks like a shell of his former self, and top pick Cooper Flagg isn’t quite ready to lead the way. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has suited up for just 10 games in what has already been an injury-riddled campaign in the early going.

Considering his inability to stay on the court throughout the majority of the last five years, it comes as little surprise that the future Hall of Famer is a featured name on the trade block. The Pistons, along with the Hawks and Raptors, were named as top suitors for his services, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

AD’s effectiveness on both sides of the ball is undeniable, but it’s understandable why most teams wouldn’t want to risk a move for him. If Dallas even asks for half of what they gave up for Davis, the Pistons should hang up right away.

With his value reportedly in the gutter, though, Detroit may consider a low-risk, high-reward transaction. If Davis is even able to suit up for 50 games, a trade could be worth it.

BS Meter: 3/10. Detroit shouldn’t be dealing any long-term pieces for Davis, but he could help propel the Pistons to championship contention.

Even throughout a historic start to the 2025-26 season for the Detroit Pistons, including a franchise-record-tying 13-game winning streak, one constant thought bubble hangs over one of the NBA’s best teams through the first month of the season:

Who will Detroit go star-hunting for this year?

At 17-4, the Pistons are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They lost just two games in the month of November, and only the Oklahoma City Thunder have won more games than Detroit.

But the talk surrounding the Pistons so far this year is not just about the success the team has had on the court. Instead, speculation has run rampant that they are a prime candidate to go in-season star hunting before the trade deadline.

Subscribe now

Whether it is Lauri Markkanen or Anthony Davis, league pundits believe that the Pistons could and/or should go big-game hunting to pair another star alongside the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Month, Cade Cunningham.

The price to acquire a star-level player in today’s league is almost always steep, except if you are the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Luka Doncic. When it comes to making a move for the likes of Markkanen, Davis, or another star near or around their caliber, it will cost the Pistons a multitude of their best assets to complete such a move.

While the Pistons would likely balk at almost any deal that would require one of Jalen Duren or Ausar Thompson, and of course Cunningham, to be traded away, the team does have assets it could package to make a significant impact in the trade market.

The team’s remaining best assets include:

• Tobias Harris

• Jaden Ivey

• Ron Holland

• Isaiah Stewart

• First-round draft picks

Would it make sense for the Pistons to part with two or three of their top player assets, as well as several first-round picks, to make a big move before the deadline?

While there are clear benefits to acquiring an All-Star-level player, the risks have to be considered as well. In any type of deal for a star, the team that acquires the premier player is sending out a package of several top assets.

Yet one of Detroit’s best qualities is its depth. It has played a crucial role in the team’s success this year. With extended absences from Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, and Isaiah Stewart, players such as Daniss Jenkins, Chaz Lanier, and Paul Reed have stepped up when called upon. The Pistons have won several games this year in which Cunningham, Ivey, Thompson, Harris, and Duren all did not play.

Does sacrificing youth, draft capital, depth, and financial flexibility make sense for a team that is performing as well as Detroit has?

That is a significant equation that Trajan Langdon and the rest of Detroit’s front office will have to ponder over the coming months. The NBA trade deadline is not until February. The Pistons will play many more games before the front office has to make a decision either way.

It may make more sense for the Pistons to let this season play out, continuing to examine how their young core develops alongside one another. Allowing the nucleus of the team to endure another playoff run together could do wonders for long-term success and sustainability.

Or perhaps the Pistons should trade for Lauri Markkanen, Anthony Davis, or another star-level player who becomes available in the market. Those opportunities are not always out there.

That being said, it is not a decision for you or me to make. What do you think the Pistons should do?

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome to the first (and very seldomly-posted) Mid-Weekly Drive. Before we get into this special edition, I hope you and yours have a happy Thanksgiving. There’s a lot to be thankful for as a Pistons fan, but in case the food coma is making it a little hard to think, here are a few reminders:

Cade Cunningham

This list must start with the obvious, and that is Cade Cunningham. Not too many teams in the NBA have the luxury of rostering a top-15 player in the league, but the Pistons do. Add in that he is just 24-years-old and there is a lot to be thankful for.

Cunningham is averaging 28.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game - all of which are career-bests. He has cut his turnovers dramatically, now in the top 30% of the league per Cleaning the Glass. Scroll up and down the Pistons’ PR Twitter/X account and you’ll find ridiculous stat lines that have only been achieved by a handful of people in league history.

• Six-straight games with 25 points and ten assists? Oscar Robertson, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Nate Archibald…and Cade.

• First player in NBA history with 30 points, ten assists, three steals, three blocks, and zero turnovers in a game.

• On pace to be the seventh player in league history to average at least 27 points, five rebounds, and nine assists per game, joining Robertson, Doncic, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook.

I won’t even bother trying to list off the organizational records he is shattering, but there are many of them.

Don’t take for granted what Cunningham has become and what his ceiling may be. He is more than a good young player, but a bonafide star that is worth the price of admission.

Not Giving Up on Jalen Duren

Loyal listeners to the Palace of Pistons Podcast will know that we were not high on Jalen Duren this time last year, as he was looking more like Onyeka Okongwu than Bam Adebayo. He looked limited as an offensive weapon, inconsistent as a defender, and concerns about some foot injuries.

But in the second half of last season there were encouraging signs that Duren had figured it out. Now we know that those indications have led to vindications.

Duren has become not just one of the best young centers in the NBA, but at his position outright. The issues with him on offense have been largely rectified, as Duren has improved his efficiency around the rim and short range dramatically. He has a few post moves, good body positioning to snag offensive rebounds (4.4 per game), and continues to be an elite roll man for Cunningham. The Pistons’ offense is in the 91st percentile with Duren on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.

The Pistons’ defense as a whole has been very good this season, but Duren is the anchor in the middle that glues everything together. The counting stats don’t tell the whole story, as teams are far less willing to drive to the hoop when Duren is on the floor. Can’t accumulate blocks when players don’t attempt shots on you.

Be thankful the coaching staff never wavered on Duren, but that he himself has taken that next step. There is a case to be made that he is the second-best player on the team right now, and for the immediate future.

Good Locker Room Vibes

It used to be harder to quantify how important this is to a team’s total makeup, but take a look around the league. No, take a good, hard look across the league.

Memphis is perhaps at the bottom of the vibe barrel with Ja Morant very vocally unhappy. Dallas, finally realizing trading their best player to the most annoying organization in the league was a bad idea, are on the verge of total implosion. Golden State is trying to wedge a window open that has no glass. Philadelphia should just rename themselves after the Red Cross. The Clippers are geriatric, at best. Is it even worth mentioning the Nets, Wizards, and Pacers - who have a combined seven wins?

Aside from the reigning champs in Oklahoma City, there is a case to be made that the Pistons have the best vibes in the league. Remember two years ago when they had inarguably the worst? Winning heals everything, even 28-game losing streaks.

The Weak Eastern Conference

As the title says, the Pistons have the privilege of playing the majority of their games in a conference that has some of the worst teams in the league. As such, the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are not exactly lighting the world on fire either. Orlando and Atlanta, the darlings of the offseason, are off to slow-ish starts as well and show plenty of cracks in their armor.

The Pistons are on pace for around 50 wins, per FanDuel. That puts them firmly in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, and the expectation should be that they get to the second round of the playoffs. Be thankful that the road to that goal is well-paved and manicured.

You, the Fans

Sappy? Maybe, but it’s true. Ask anyone in the organization what they are thankful for, whether they play on the court or work at a desk, and they will surely say the fans.

And that goes double for us, especially those that listen or watch the podcast, read these articles, or interact with us on social media. It all means a lot and still feels a little surreal to me when someone tells me they loved the show - or call me an idiot in the YouTube comments. I appreciate it the same. Well, almost the same.

Thanks for checking in to the Weekly Drive in-between courses, desserts, or football games. I’ll speak for my two podcast co-hosts when I say this: have a Happy Thanksgiving, and go Pistons.

See you next week.

Mike

Have the Pistons still not lost since the last Weekly Drive? No? Am I reading that correct?

And, again, still not. Detroit now has a 14-game winning streak, retains first place in the Eastern Conference, and just got Jaden Ivey back.

Game Recaps

Game 15: Detroit 120, Atlanta 112

Rapid Reaction: In the second game of a back-to-back, where many teams look a little staggered, the Pistons came out and were the opposite. Cade Cunningham had another 25-point double-double with 10 assists, Jalen Duren added 24, and Detroit never relinquished the lead once.

Game 16: Detroit 129, Milwaukee 116

Rapid Reaction: Take this one with a grain of salt given the Bucks did not have Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Pistons not only won the game, but never trailed after midway through the second quarter. Can we talk about Duncan Robinson real quick? This was his seventh straight game with double-digit points and in that span he has shot 49% from the floor and 48% from three-point territory. He doesn’t get the shine, but Robinson has quietly been integral to the offense.

We talked about the win streak, Jalen Duren making his case to be the best center in the Eastern Conference, and the rotation going forward.

Jaden Ivey Returns

Yes, its true. Nearly one year since breaking his leg against the Orlando Magic (and then arthroscopic knee surgery in September), Jaden Ivey returned to an NBA court Saturday night against the Bucks. He looked a little rusty, as expected, but played 15 minutes and scored 10 points on 4/6 shooting.

The 23-year-old is grateful to be back, and so are his teammates.

No use in trying to dig in to those minutes any more than this: its nice to see Ivey healthy and back out on the court. Once he returns to game speed and is playing in high-leverage situations with Cunningham, then we can evaluate how things look. Until then, here are all six of Ivey’s shot attempts.

Oh, and Tobias Harris also returned to action Saturday night. He scored 18 points, remaining the high-floor good-vibes guy that the Pistons have relied on.

Do the Pistons Have Too Many Good Players?

No lol.

Ok, here is an actual answer. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after Saturday night’s win over the Bucks that he will be sticking with a 12-man rotation. Now for the relatively initiated, that is…not usual. Most teams go with a much shorter rotation, though most teams do not have the unique depth that the Pistons have right now.

Ivey and Tobias Harris are on minutes restrictions for the time being, but that will cease eventually. That will tighten the rotation slightly, but then there is the issue of Daniss Jenkins who is…too good to be on a two-way contract. The Pistons will have to convert him to a standard contract, which our own Aaron Johnson wrote about here, but there are mechanisms to make that happen pretty painlessly.

Long story short: No, the Pistons don’t have too many good players. But they do have a few things to consider as the season goes on.

The Pistons play woeful Indiana, but then have a big NBA Cup matchup against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night followed by a rematch with the Orlando Magic on Black Friday. Does the streak continue? One way to find out, and no matter what we will talk about it next Monday.

See you next week, and have a happy Thanksgiving.

Mike

The Detroit Pistons may have found a diamond in the rough.

Daniss Jenkins, an undrafted guard out of St. John’s, is making quite an impression for the red-hot Detroit Pistons.

Vaulted into Detroit’s rotation after injuries ravaged the roster over the last few weeks, Jenkins has emerged as a valuable piece for a team desperate for depth at the guard spot.

Jenkins’ last four games:
• 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists
• 18 points, 12 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
• 19 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds
• 14 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

Without Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser, and Ausar Thompson, the Pistons have been incredibly thin on ball-handlers and offensive initiators.

Jenkins has stepped up and played a crucial role for Detroit during this stretch.

His performance has been so significant that he was even nominated for the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks ultimately won the honor.

The crazy part?

Jenkins is only on a two-way contract. The Pistons opted against giving him a standard deal this offseason, even after a promising rookie year spent largely in the G League and a strong showing in Summer League.

He will almost certainly be converted to a standard NBA contract at some point, but the Pistons currently do not have an open roster spot.

A two-way player is only eligible to appear in 50 regular-season games with their NBA team and is not postseason eligible.

Jenkins is proving not only that he belongs on an NBA roster, but that he deserves an every-night rotation spot as well. His skill set, positional flexibility, and on-court demeanor are all significantly valuable attributes to the current best team in the East.

“I’m just trying to find my way,” Jenkins said after his 19-point, 8-assist performance against the 76ers on Friday night. “That’s all I’m trying to do. I’m just trying to keep going and showing what I’ve been knowing I’m capable of. Like I said, God’s just shining that light on me and I just gotta believe in me.”

Jenkins should have all the belief and confidence in the world right now. He’s creating new believers in droves with each and every performance.

The Pistons certainly believe in him. Even after Cunningham returned from a three-game absence on Tuesday night, Jenkins remained alongside him in the starting lineup.

As Detroit continues to get healthier — Cunningham and Thompson have returned, and Jaden Ivey has begun practicing again — Jenkins will have his work cut out for him to maintain a rotation spot.

But the fact that he’s even in the conversation for minutes among those players shows the type of leap he has seemingly made.

There’s no ignoring the obvious anymore.

Daniss Jenkins has arrived, and he’s here to stay.

The Pistons are just lucky to be the team that found him.

Have the Pistons lost since the last Weekly Drive? No? Am I reading that correct?

Yes, I am.

Oh, and good afternoon. Let’s get into how the Eastern Conference’s leading team remained in that place for another full week.

Game Recaps

Game 11: Washington 135, Detroit 137

Rapid Reaction: Daniss Jenkins, take a bow. While Cade Cunningham had a monster game (46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals), Jenkins (24 points) hit a game-tying three to force overtime. The Pistons seemed dead in the water, trailing by nine points with just over four minutes to go. And then, they weren’t.

Game 12: Chicago 113, Detroit 124

Rapid Reaction: Paul Reed, take a bow. The Pistons were undermanned, missing Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and Ausar Thompson, but still found a way to win. Reed (28 points, 13 rebounds) and Jenkins (18 points, 12 assists) paced Detroit, but Duncan Robinson (23 points) has slowly found his rhythm too.

Game 13: Philadelphia 105, Detroit 114

Rapid Reaction: Inarguably the best win of the season so far, with several Pistons backups stepping up in big ways. Javonte Green had 21 points, Jenkins scored 19, and Caris LeVert added 14 on a very efficient shooting performance. A total team effort, and another NBA Cup victory.

Game 14: Indiana 112, Detroit 127

Rapid Reaction: Make it ten in a row for the Pistons, their longest winning streak since 2008. Jalen Duren had a huge game (31 points, 15 rebounds) and should firmly be in the driver’s seat for Most Improved Player of the Year, Jenkins added 23 points and should have his two-way converted to a standard contract, and Green continues to be an asset (20 points). The Pacers are terrible this season, which is why it should not be surprising that Detroit won, but its how they won.

The Jaden Ivey Update

The moment we have been waiting for: an update from the Pistons on Jaden Ivey. The team announced that Ivey has been assigned to the Motor City Cruise (G League affiliate of the Pistons) as he continues to his return to play process.

That’s a huge step for Ivey, who had surgery on his knee just prior to the start of the season. A few days ago he was on the court getting some shots up, so this update is not too terribly surprising. Its not clear if Ivey is going to be playing in any G League games, but he will at least be with the team practicing and getting up to game speed. While the Pistons have looked exceptional even without the former fifth-overall pick, the team could certainly use his playmaking and speed to help keep opposing offenses on high(er) alert.

News and Notes

• The legend of Daniss Jenkins got some national attention, as he was nominated for NBA Player of the Week last week. His teammate got it the week before, you may have heard of him.

• Cade is getting a signature shoe from Nike, due for release in 2027. Oh, and he also is really glad he didn’t get drafted to Cleveland.

• Just after the release of last Monday’s Weekly Drive, the Pistons announced they signed Wendell Moore Jr. to a two-way contract and waived Colby Jones.

How far can this winning streak stretch? The Pistons’ next game, tonight against Atlanta, will be a challenging one even without Trae Young. Its a second half of a back-to-back, the Hawks have a budding star in Jalen Johnson, and are playing solid basketball as well. Let’s see what happens as the Pistons face a smidge of adversity.

See you all next week.

Mike

Good morning Pistons fans, thanks for checking back in to the Weekly Drive. Who is that at the top of the Eastern Conference?

Oh right, its Detroit. Let’s review how they got there.

Game Recaps

Game 8: Utah 103, Detroit 114

Rapid Reaction: Cade Cunningham scored 31 points, Jalen Duren had 22 points and 22 rebounds, and the Pistons took care of business against a team they should beat. And they did, with minimal effort. Former Piston Svi Mykhailiuk had a career-high 28 points to lead Utah.

Game 9: Detroit 125, Brooklyn 107

Rapid Reaction: A beat down, plain and simple. The Nets are, almost inarguably, the worst team in the NBA. The only issue, I guess, is that the Pistons continued to lose first quarters - this one 29-27. It didn’t matter, but it’s a trend that you would like to see end. Aaron Johnson wrote about here.

Game: 10: Detroit 111, Philadelphia 108

Rapid Reaction: Make it six in a row, as the Pistons defeated the Sixers to cap off a perfect week. Cade, who scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half, sent former Piston Andre Drummond (who started in place of Joel Embiid) to the nether realm with an emphatic dunk late in the fourth quarter. This was an impressive win for a Pistons team that was not really challenged in the two games prior, but fought hard down the stretch in a way that I am not sure they would have been able to do last season.

Jaden Ivey Update Coming Soon?

Its about that time, if the original timeline is to be trusted. The Pistons last issued an update on October 16th that Ivey would be reevaluated in four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Since then, it has been very quiet on the Ivey front.

No doubt that the Pistons would benefit from Ivey, but given the fact there hasn’t been much news on his status, it is fair to question how soon he would be able to help.

News and Notes

• Marcus Sasser will be reevaluated in four weeks with the hip impingement injury, per a team press release. The injury has kept Sasser out for the entire season.

• The Pistons claimed Sacramento Kings center Isaac Jones off of waivers according to ESPN Shams Charania. Jones now occupies the 15th spot on the roster, but of course could be waived or moved if somebody else became available.

• Malik Beasley continues to be very pro-Pistons on social media, begging the question: is he nearing a return to the Detroit roster?

Remember last week when I said there should be reasonable expectation that the Pistons be 8-2 by the next Weekly Drive? Well here we are at that next Weekly Drive, and Detroit sits atop the Eastern Conference at 8-2. What will there record be in another seven days?

See you all next week.

Mike

The Detroit Pistons have a problem.

Despite a strong 5-2 start to the 2025-26 NBA campaign, there is a glaring issue that stands out on a nightly basis when watching these Pistons. And no, it is not the lack of 3-point shooting.

Well… that is a problem, but not the one I am referring to.

A major issue for Detroit is how the team starts games. The Pistons are the not-so-proud owners of the second worst first quarter plus/minus in the league. Only the 0-7 Brooklyn Nets perform worse in the opening frame.

In fact, the Pistons had not won a single first quarter this season up until Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Detroit’s starting lineup has struggled to start games off on the right note, particularly on the offensive end. The Pistons average just 26.7 points in the first quarter, the third fewest in the NBA. The two teams worse than them? The Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans — who are a combined 1-12.

Subscribe now

The Portland Trail Blazers are the only other above .500 team with a bottom-10 first quarter plus/minus.

Now, this is not the starting lineup that Detroit intended to start the season with — a point to keep in mind as we dive into this issue. Jaden Ivey should be starting alongside Cade Cunningham in the backcourt.

That being said, some speculated in the offseason that Duncan Robinson would be a better fit than Ivey in the starting lineup due to his more natural floor spacing ability and gravity.

In 6 games, Detroit’s starting lineup has a -32.7 net rating in the first quarter.

So far, the starting five has proven to be an offensively-challenged group out of the gate. For reference, this unit has just a 48.6 true shooting percentage.

The Pistons’ first quarter performance improved dramatically once J.B. Bickerstaff’s first substitutions enter the game. When Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland replace Ausar Thompson and Tobias Harris — a sub pattern that J.B. Bickerstaff has leveraged on several occasions — that lineup’s net rating improves to +61.0.

Injuries have bothered Detroit in this early segment of the season. Besides missing Ivey, Marcus Sasser has yet to play this year. While I have certainly had my critiques of Sasser in the past, I do feel his ball-handling and shooting could benefit this iteration of a team that is sorely lacking in both areas. Caris LeVert is also still being integrated in the rotation, as he has missed three games this year as well.

By no means is it time to hit the panic button. Yet again, Detroit IS 5-2 despite this glaring issue.

But it is something to monitor.

Being as bad of a first quarter team as Detroit is just is not sustainable — at least if the Pistons intend to keep winning games at the rate they have this year.

As more games go by, as players return to the fold, and as the team’s offseason acquisitions become more acclimated within Bickerstaff’s system, the hope would be that the team’s first quarter performance improves.

And if it doesn’t?

Then changes will have to be made.

But Detroit should not be in any sort of rush to force major changes to the starting lineup right now. It is important that the young core continues to build chemistry and learn how to not just play with one another, but succeed alongside each other.

Even after a 5-2 start, the Pistons still have plenty of room to improve. Starting games out on a better foot is certainly going to be a focus for the team moving forward. And playing better in the first quarter could be a lever-pull that helps this team reach a higher level.

Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to The Weekly Drive. Seven games into the season, Detroit sits at 5-2 with some solid wins this past week - and more opportunities to nab a few easy ones coming up. Let’s get into it.

Game Recaps

Game 5: Orlando 116, Detroit 135

Rapid Reaction: A masterful performance from Cade Cunningham, who finished with a 30-point double-double (10 assists and six rebounds) and zero turnovers. Despite missing nine of their first 10 shots, the Pistons stuck with things and eventually ended up with a very important win.

Game 6: Dallas 110, Detroit 122

Rapid Reaction: In the NBA’s Mexico City Game, it was Detroit that came out on top over an injured Dallas team that was without Anthony Davis. And they really could have used him. Jalen Duren had a career-high 33 points and scooped up 10 rebounds. Cunningham had a career-high 18 assists and the Pistons crushed the Mavericks 35-17 in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

Game 7: Detroit 114, Memphis 106

Rapid Reaction: it got a little dicey at the end, but the Pistons pulled out an eight-point win to improve to 5-2. Cade exploded for 19 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, but at one point Detroit had a 21-point lead in the third quarter. That was relinquished somewhat, but Detroit did what few young good teams do - not crumble under pressure.

Aaron and Jasper broke down the Pistons (at the time) 3-2 start on the latest edition of the Palace of Pistons Podcast and talked about the offensive woes. While still present somewhat, Detroit does look a lot better over the last few games.

Isaiah Stewart Fitting Right In

Don’t look now, but Isaiah Stewart is shaping into exactly the player the Pistons envisioned. He was excellent filling in the starting lineup last night, and is now averaging 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and is shooting 40.9% from deep. Whether off the bench or spot starting for an injury, Beef Stew has been a plus (aside from the game against Cleveland, which should be thrown out).

The fears of the front court are quelled quite a bit with a healthy and effective Stewart. Between him and Duren having strong starts to the season, the Pistons look more than formidable with their bigs.

News and Notes

• Ausar Thompson penned an article in the Players’ Tribune, and it is well worth your time.

• Tobias Harris missed the game against Memphis with a sprained ankle, though he was questionable up until a few hours before game time. Harris injured it against Dallas and ended up not returning to the game.

• Malik Beasley posted on Instagram that he was headed to Detroit…for some reason. Let the speculation commence.

There is a reasonable expectation that the Pistons should finish this week with a record of 8-2, given they play some bad teams in Brooklyn and Washington. The game against Philadelphia will be deceptively tough, especially if Joel Embiid plays, but Detroit is firing on all cylinders out of the gate. How fun is that?

See you all next week.

Mike