NBA Daily: 2022-2023 Season Preview #3 – Detroit Pistons
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 Sep 2022
In this limited 30-part series, we shall be discussing each team’s latest developments, current roster, and future prospects in the upcoming 2022-2023 NBA season. For every team, we will examine bit-by-bit the important aspects that may shape its progress and provide a rough projection of how it will fare vis-à-vis its previous year’s performance and versus the rest of the league.
DETROIT PISTONS
2021-2022 Season Win-Loss Record:
23-59
Depth Chart:
PG – Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Corey Joseph
SG – Jaden Ivey, Hamidou Diallo, Alec Burks
SF – Saddiq Bey, Rodney McGruder, Kevin Knox II
PF – Marvin Bagley III, Kelly Olynyk, Isaiah Livers
CE – Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren, Nerlens Noel
Head Coach:
Dwane Casey
Headliners:
With one full year under his belt, Cade Cunningham showcased the well-rounded game that made him the first overall pick in last year’s NBA Rookie Draft. In his rookie season, he dropped 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on a nightly basis. At six feet and a little over five inches, he already had size from the get-go, especially at the point guard slot. His body is still developing and when he bulks it up a bit, he’d be a force to be reckoned with for Detroit.
The addition of Jaden Ivey in the backcourt will make Cunningham’s job a lot easier and his production, a whole lot better. The Pistons picked Ivey at 5th overall in this year’s NBA Rookie Draft with the purpose of making him Cunningham’s running-mate at the backcourt for the Pistons.
Saddiq Bey was mostly solid for Detroit at the small forward position, averaging 16.1 markers, 5.4 boards, and 2.8 dimes per contest last season. He and Hamidou Diallo will be key pieces for Detroit at the wing spot.
While the Pistons may have a very promising backcourt, their frontcourt depth, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Marvin Bagley III is still yet to prove that he deserved his 2nd overall selection in 2018 NBA Rookie Draft. However, Detroit front office did particularly well when they traded for this year’s 13th overall pick Jalen Duren from the Hornets. He may be able to address Detroit’s frontcourt woes in the future, but maybe not this season, yet.
Isaiah Stewart may be a serviceable big man and Kelly Olynyk may also be a versatile one, but it may be too much of a stretch to consider either of them as an NBA team’s starting center.
This year might not yet be it for Detroit, but its fans need not fret. They are a promising young squad and with a little more luck with the pingpong balls at the end of this season, their time may come sooner than later… but certainly not now as of yet.
Injury Updates:
Nerlens Noel is out with a foot injury.
Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.
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