Heading into the 2025-26 campaign, few analysts, if any, predicted that the Detroit Pistons would be the class of the Eastern Conference during the regular season. Even fewer tabbed the Pistons as a team primed to set franchise records along the way, but that was a reality for head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and his squad. 

After a resurgent effort the season before that helped restore Detroit Basketball, Bickerstaff coached the Pistons into a group that refused to take games off during the regular season. In his second year in charge, Bickerstaff had his team in 60-win form with multiple All-Star selections and possession of the top seed in the East nearly all season long, but that nearly instantaneous growth is the same reason why many expected the Pistons to still be playing basketball right now. 

So, with that balancing act in mind, the expectations for the Pistons shifted on the fly during the past season, which is precisely why Detroit is in an awkward position as a talented team that outperformed many predictions on one hand but still could have ultimately done more in the postseason. Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon spoke about Detroit’s position during his end of season press conference, and the exec continued to offer an optimistic view of all that the Pistons accomplished over the last eight months. 

But with the offseason firmly upon the Pistons after their second round exit, Langdon has some pressing issues to tend to with the 2026 NBA Draft just around the corner on June 23 and free agency starting one week later. During the playoffs, the Pistons ran into a couple roadblocks that prevented the group from advancing past the Eastern Conference Semifinals, so it would be prudent to address those concerns in the offseason. 

First on Langdon’s to-do list should be the contract situation of Jalen Duren. During the regular season, Duren qualified for the first All-Star team of his career with nearly 20 points and 11 rebounds each night, but the big man was stifled in the postseason where his scoring output was nearly halved against the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavs. 

Once the Pistons extend a qualifying offer, Duren will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, which would give Detroit ultimate rights to match any contract that he signs on the open market. Some suggested that JD was in line for a max contract or even a super-max this summer, but a difficult pair of playoff matchups in the first and second round could end up costing Duren quite a bit of money. 

Regardless, Duren performed as a nightly double-double player for a Pistons team that prioritized points in the paint. Bickerstaff looks at Duren as one of Detroit's pillars moving forward, so the team is expected to welcome JD back into the fold with open arms, the only question is the eventual price tag will read. 

Langdon also mentioned that the Pistons explored many avenues during the mid-season Trade Deadline before settling on a deal that brought Kevin Huerter to the Motor City in exchange for Jaden Ivey. Langdon indicated that the Pistons were in the market to bring in extra shooting help on the perimeter with a keen eye for ball handling skills, but those qualities were at a premium at the Trade Deadline, so Detroit ended up with a three-team trade to show for their negotiating. 

Since the Pistons own the No. 21 pick in the draft after their pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves, it is possible that Detroit looks to bring in a sharp-shooter like Christian Anderson into the fold, but the team could also serve to address their long-term need at the power forward position since Tobias Harris is a free agent. Langdon expressed an interest in bringing Harris back to Detroit for another go-around, but the Pistons need to identify their four since the rest of the team’s core is 25 years of age or younger. 

The Pistons have cap space to work with, so reaching a deal with Duren shouldn’t be an agenda item that significantly restricts the rest of Detroit’s offseason tasks, but it will certainly inform the team’s roster construction for years to come. But since the Pistons were one game away from competing in the conference finals, each move has the potential to make-or-break a Detroit squad that was on the cusp of greatness.

For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.