After a couple months of the offseason, it is already abundantly clear that the Detroit Pistons are set to look like a completely new bunch during the 2026-27 campaign with a different feel and a shifted offensive approach. 

With Tobias Harris, Marcus Sasser, Isaiah Stewart and Caris LeVert leaving the organization in the summer, the Pistons have made sure that their replacements can all connect on the three-ball at a high level after checking in as the NBA’s No. 17 three-point shooting squad a season ago. So, the contingent of John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris should positively impact Detroit’s floor spacing and offensive structure moving forward, but Detroit has the challenge of working rookies Ebuka Okorie and Ugonnna Onyenso into the mix at the same time, so there will be an influx of new talent in the Motor City no matter how the situation is analyzed. 

But on the surface, the Eastern Conference has been a popular landing spot for NBA talent this offseason. LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers during free agency, Giannis Antetouknmpo relocated to the Miami Heat and Kawhi Leonard still might join the Toronto Raptors, so the conference is set to be as competitive as ever with the New York Knicks standing as the reigning champs. 

With those moves establishing context for the NBA’s summer activity, it seems clear that the Pistons made savvy, low-cost moves at the rotational level designed around establishing offensive balance in favor of taking a home run swing to bring another superstar to Motown this offseason. 

However, this current moment in time represents an incomplete snapshot of Detroit’s offseason business. The Pistons still need to work out a long-term deal with 22-year old center Jalen Duren after his All-Star season, and the team’s summer roster management will look much stronger once that task is complete. 

Even with last postseason’s struggles in the recent rear view mirror, Duren is still viewed as a pillar piece of the Pistons franchise. Detroit is built around the two-man game between Duren and Cade Cunningham with Ausar Thompson serving as a defensive stopper and slasher on the other end, but the Pistons finally took a swing to surround that core with a deep lineup of perimeter shooters who can score at an NBA level during high-leverage, pressure moments. 

Over the past several seasons, Joe has paced Duncan Robinson in terms of three-point shooting efficiency, so his presence beyond the arc will improve Detroit’s spacing right off the bat. Collins, who will be taking over for Harris at the four, is a stretch four with a steady outside shot who can flex inside to play above the rim at the same time, so that dynamic element should make life easier for Cunningham in his sixth pro season. Then Prince can fill in the gaps on the second unit as a wing player with plus-creation ability with the rock. 

The Central Division grew tougher last night with Peyton Watson’s trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the Pistons were far from stationary this offseason even if their moves don’t appear overtly flashy.