Detroit Pistons

Although the Detroit Pistons won just 17 games and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year, the iconic franchise appears to be on the upswing thanks to its committed youth movement. Cade Cunningham — a 2022 All-Rookie First Team selection — was limited to 12 games, but his averages of 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists emphasized the former number one overall pick’s true potential. Without Cunningham, the Pistons focused on the development of a plethora of young players on the roster. Point guard Jaden Ivey, the fifth pick of the 2022 draft, had a strong rookie season after posting 16.3 points and 5.2 assists across 74 games. James Wiseman averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in 24 games after Detroit acquired him in a midseason trade, while fellow young center Isaiah Stewart blossomed in his third season with a career-best 11.3 points per game. Third-year guard Killian Hayes led the Pistons with 6.2 assists per game, while rookie big man Jalen Duren nearly averaged a double-double in the season’s second half. Ivey and Duren each earned spots on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. And since even the youngest teams require veteran leadership, the Pistons counted on the services of forward Bojan Bogdanović, and the nine-year veteran responded with a career-high 21.6 points across 59 games. · Dec 15, 2025