Roster construction is one factor working in the Detroit Pistons favor

Heading into the NBA season, many have already nominated Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham as one of the players knocking on the door of absolute stardom. Entering his fifth year in the league, all of which have been spent in Motown, Cunningham is perhaps the most indispensable member of the Pistons squad as he worked to facilitate the team’s offense and control the pace of play last season. 

Surrounding Cunningham is Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, all of which are even younger than the 23-year old Detroit point guard. Of course, Tobias Harris will factor into the rotation, likely starting on many occasions, but that young core is looked at as the future of Pistons basketball, one that President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon has worked to keep together. 

Rarely ever, though, does a team composed almost exclusively of young players actually make a deep, meaningful charge for the NBA Championship. Most often, more experienced players are necessary to provide the veteran leadership, in-game IQ and crucial experience necessary to shine when the lights are the brightest.

Do the Pistons have the pieces required for another playoff push?

So, these basketball realities are what makes the current Pistons roster development so encouraging for the Detroit faithful. Over the offseason, Detroit added guard Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson to the team, and both of these players have been trusted to play important minutes for their respective teams over the past several years.

Robinson, on one hand, is a marksman from deep and is lauded for his ability to space the floor. LeVert, on the other hand, offers a more versatile profile thanks to his ball handling, passing range and ability to read the floor on defense. Together, the two combine to offer a healthy dose of veteran savviness and the wherewithal required to contribute on both ends of the court.

Ideally, Robinson and LeVert will be part of a veteran contingent that helps mentor what is inarguably a talented, young Pistons team, one which may be on the cusp of a deep playoff run if this combination of youngsters and vets can mesh this season. The contingent of Cunningham, Thompson and Duren built up a bit of playoff experience by facing the Knicks in the first round last year, and though that matchup ended in an expeditious exit from the Pistons, it was an important piece of the maturation process for the young Motown squad. 

Apart from those players, Tobias Harris is one player who should be well adjusted to the intense pressure of the NBA playoffs at this stage of his career. Previously, Harris, who will be entering his 15th season in just a few weeks, has amassed over 50 postseason games spread across his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers, so he’s one individual the team can lean on during crucial moments of the 2025-26 campaign.

Of course, it will be up to Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to help impart growth upon his younger players and to prepare them for a repeat playoff appearance, but the Detroit core is off to a positive start after last season’s staggering 30-win improvement. 

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