The Detroit Pistons were the NBA's third-worst performing team during the 2021-22 regular season with a 23-59 record. The good news was that their young men, Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey, both grew well.
So did Marvin Bagley III, who seemed to have found a way to save his career after he was traded to the Pistons in the second half of last season.
The poor record from the 2021-22 campaign enabled the Pistons to draft Jaden Ivey and trade for Jalen Duren, two promising rookies as enhancements in the back and front court.
Moreover, the arrivals of a series of veterans like Bojan Bogdanovic, Nerlans Noel and Alec Burks are likely to add a solid base to the young, promising franchise of the Pistons.
Don't be surprised when you see the Pistons upset a championship contender in the 2022-23 season.
L-R: Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey and Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons pose for a portrait during media day at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, September 26, 2022. /CFP
L-R: Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley III of the Detroit Pistons pose for a portrait during media day at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, September 26, 2022. /CFP
Host: Li Xiang
Guest: Matthew Watson
Cover designer: Feng Yuan
Chief editor: Chen Ran
Supervisor: Zhang Shilei