The Detroit Pistons made a deep run last season, pushing all the way to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and nearly taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7. That heartbreaking loss stings even more now that ESPN’s new power rankings for the 2026 season have them slipping a spot, from No. 5 down to No. 6.
What Happened Last Season, And What’s Next for Cade?
Nobody can deny the Pistons are a different beast than they were a few seasons back, in a seriously good way. They led the East in wins last season and fought their way to the second round of the playoffs. Losing Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert, and Isaiah Stewart definitely hurts, adding to that nerve-wracking feeling about the future. But they still have Cade Cunningham, and it’s crystal clear the franchise needs to keep building everything around him. The question is, are they doing enough to support him for the coming season?
The Duren Dilemma and What It Means
Jamal Collier from ESPN hit it right on the head, noting the Pistons only made “modest moves” this offseason, bringing in some shooting with Joe and grabbing the versatile Collins to replace Harris. But here’s the kicker, and it’s a huge one: Jalen Duren is still out there, an unsigned restricted free agent, just lingering. That Duren issue is a big deal, and so is figuring out how they’ll keep training and building up their young core, especially Ausar Thompson. If they can get those two things sorted, it could absolutely make a real difference for their season.
So, what’s next? The Pistons have to get Duren signed and dial in on developing that young talent, or that Game 7 heartbreak might just be a preview of more frustration. This team is strong, but they’re sitting on a huge piece of unfinished business that needs to get done right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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