Detroit Pistons: 3 Signs Of A Positive Preseason

Even though the Detroit Pistons have only played one preseason game, the squad has already debuted a handful of wrinkles that could change how the team operates in the 2026-27 campaign. 

In Monday’s 109-107 win over the Phoenix Suns, the Pistons dusted off a familiar tactical adjustment where Ausar Thompson shifted to an on-ball creator for Detroit in the half-court. Thompson organized the Pistons offense for numerous possessions in the first quarter against Phoenix, which allowed Cade Cunningham to enter the play with different timing from unusual angles to keep the defense guessing. 

Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff mentioned that this concept is something Detroit plans to explore as the preseason ticks along, and it’s part of the team’s blueprint for preseason success. If the Motown squad can develop a new layer that leads to efficient playmaking with Cunningham in an off-ball capacity, then it’s an angle that they plan to exploit whenever possible. The tricky part is supplying Thompson with adequate shooters at the other three positions on the floor, but the Pistons may have addressed that concern with their offseason activity. 

And speaking of summertime transactions, John Collins is a player with a target on his back when it comes to unlocking a new level of growth for the Pistons. In his first game since arriving in Motown, Collins started at the four but logged significant minutes at center as well since Jalen Duren was out of the lineup. Although the Pistons have shied away from small-ball lineups in the past, that has obviously changed since Collins can help the group maintain a level of interior presence while still serving as an on-ball creator and finisher. 

On the flip side, Detroit struggled to control the defensive glass when Collins did shift to center, so it’s an idea that still needs a bit of practice. Overall, the Pistons were out-worked on the boards by Phoenix in their first exhibition contest of the year, so that’s one concerning facet of the Collins-at-center experiment. 

Of course, part of the reason that Collins played so much at the five can be tied to Jalen Duren’s absence from Detroit’s preseason opener. The plan is for Duren to return before the regular season begins, but the organization is remaining cautious as he continues to ramp up his activity. 

Bickerstaff has mentioned during training camp that the next step for Duren to take would be to accentuate his playmaking ability from the elbow, so look for the big man to serve as an offensive hub once he returns to the lineup after inking his new five-year deal. Though it’s unclear if Duren will play tonight, the Pistons are back in action with a 7 pm contest on the road against the Washington Wizards.