Three Predictions for the 2024-25 Detroit Pistons: Insights from Preseason Play
The Detroit Pistons' first four preseason games have painted a clearer picture of the team's rotation heading into the new season.
Last week, Aaron Johnson shared three observations from the Detroit Pistons’ first two preseason games. Preseason performance is just a small indictment of what a team will be throughout the NBA’s grueling 82-game schedule, but it still holds some value.
With two more preseason contests under their belt, it's becoming clearer what lineups new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will be running out on opening night - namely the starters. Tobias Harris joined the fold for Detroit’s recent two contests, showcasing the highs and the lows of adding the offensive-minded veteran. Still, he displayed why the Pistons signed him and the value he will bring to this young squad.
With the NBA season just a week away, I’ll be making three predictions for the 2024-25 Detroit Pistons based on what we’ve seen in the preseason. This new regime is operating differently, both on and off the court, than the last one, hopefully making these predictions realistic rather than bold.
Jaden Ivey Will Successfully Mesh With Backcourt Partner Cade Cunningham
This would have been a bold prediction before the preseason, but Jaden Ivey has undoubtedly been Detroit’s most pleasant surprise. After it was once questioned whether his play style could coexist on the court with Cade Cunningham, Ivey has seemingly taken strides as an off-ball scorer and movement shooter.
Through four preseason contests, the fourth-year guard is averaging 18.3 points on scorching 60/52/85 shooting splits while starting in the backcourt. His mix of shooting and playmaking is an encouraging wrinkle.
His efficiency will return to Earth but, so far, Ivey is answering the early call to improve his marksmanship from deep. Ivey’s ability to continue to make his jump shots at an above-average clip will be vital to the team and his future with the team. As someone who always believed his jumper was close to coming around, Ivey could be in line for an explosive campaign.
Ausar Thompson Will be a Starting Lineup Staple When Healthy
While the Pistons’ preseason performance has brought some well-deserved optimism, it’s clear that the team is missing something without Ausar Thompson.
While Cunningham, Ivey, and Duren have been mainstays in Detroit’s opening lineup, Bickerstaff has experimented with the team’s starting wings - starting all of Simone Fontecchio, Tim Hardaway Jr, Tobias Harris, and Malik Beasley in at least one game. Early signs show none of these combinations will work throughout the season, as none of them stand out in terms of athleticism or defensive ability. Thompson shines in both those areas, and his absence in the preseason has only emphasized Detroit’s need for his talents.
It’s possible Thompson would have already been starting had he been medically cleared to play, but these early contests have shown the team needs his Swiss-army-knife skills at the front of their rotation. This only becomes truer if Ivey has improved his three-point shooting.
Isaiah Stewart Will be an Elite Backup Center
At long last, it appears the Isaiah Stewart at power forward experiment has finally been marked off as a failure. Stewart’s strengths simply don’t mesh well with another rim-running center in Jalen Duran. That doesn’t mean Beef Stew won’t be incredibly valuable for the Pistons in his fifth season, though.
After spending years as a starting big man for Detroit since he was drafted in 2020, Stewart hasn’t started a single preseason game for the Pistons this season. Instead, he’s able to wreak havoc off the bench with his incredible motor and improved shooting range. As a four, he was a below-average marksman, but his 3/7 mark from three-point range during the first four games is helpful as a center, even with decreased volume.
Stewart’s numbers haven’t been flashy in the preseason, but they don’t need to be. His 8.5 points per game is about where I expect him to be for the regular season, despite only playing 16 minutes per game so far. He has proven to be more engaged than ever on defense and his rebounding will continue to be vital for what will likely be an undersized second unit.
Again, these shouldn’t be considered long shots to any degree and are all vital to the Pistons showing notable improvement this season. If all three of these predictions hit their mark and health is on their side, Detroit could compete for a Play-in spot in a mediocre Eastern Conference.
