We weren’t expecting much from this 2021-2022 season on the Michigan side, at least in terms of ranking and access to the Playoffs. It was to serve as a transition at the bottom of the classification to negotiate the end of the Drummond-Griffin-Rose era. In the end, and as expected, Cade Cunningham, draft in first position in 2021, took a few months to start before offering a month of March where observers had the opportunity to see what could become of the leader out of Oklahoma State University. The 2021-2022 season is also two good surprises among the young people of the Pistons, namely Saddiq Bey et Isaiah Stewartthe first even reaching the 51-point mark against Orlando in March 2022. As for Stewart, he was able to seduce the Pistons public with his energy and his defense, two qualities much respected by local fans.
Ct frenchies, we sensed that the season of Kilian Hayes was going to be complicated with the arrival of Cunningham. Their association on the field not bringing enough efficiency, Hayes was placed on the bench by Dwane Casey to be able to have more the ball in hand, which allowed him to illustrate the pass. But he still does not provide enough guarantees in the management of the attack and the selection of shots to have an important role in Detroit.
In the second half of the season, the arrival of Marvin Bagley III brought a little more diversity to Detroit’s offense, earning them an overtime this summer. A starting place is moreover promised to him with the departure of Straw Grantchang Portland.
In short, the 2021-2022 season saw the Pistons settle permanently at the bottom of the Eastern standings, “contesting” for last place with the Orlando Magic without being able to claim access to the Play-in.
2021-2022 results: 23 wins – 59 losses.
- OFF-SEASON MOVEMENTS
Dparts : Cheikh Diallo, Carsen Edwards (Turkey), Jerami Grant (Portland), Justin Robinson (Australia)
Arrives : Buddy Boeheim (TW), Nerlens Noel (New York Knicks), Alec Burks (New York Knicks), Jaden Ivey (Draft), Jalen Duren (Draft), Kemba Walker (New York Knicks)
Leaders: Cade Cunningham, Kilian Hayes, Cory Joseph, Saben Lee, Kemba Walker
Backs: Buddy Boeheim (TW), Jaden Ivey, Rodney McGruder
Wingers: Saddiq Bey, Hamidou Diallo, Braxton Key (TW)
Strong wingers: Marvin Bagley III, Kelly Olynyk
Pivots : Jalen Duren, Nerlens Noel, Micah Potter, Isaiah Stewart
PG : Cade Cunningham SG : Alec Burks SF : Saddiq Bey PF : Marvin Bagley III C : Isaiah Stewart
The Pistons starting lineup is set to evolve throughout the season. If Cade Cunningham is irremovable at the point guard position, the other four positions are not locked. Coming from New York, Alec Burks, the back to the 10 NBA seasons will be able to bring stability to the backcourt and offer solutions from afar to relieve Cunningham in terms of scoring. In view of Kilian Hayes’ end to the season, we can think that coach Casey would prefer to associate Cade Cunningham with a player with a better scoring profile than the Frenchman, who saw his playing time decrease as the previous season progressed. On the other positions, the season should start with the holders from the end of the previous one. There will nevertheless be competition in several positions, especially inside, where no member of the workforce in positions 4 and 5 can claim to be an indisputable holder, apart perhaps from Marvin Bagley, for his more offensive profile than the other interiors.
A few vengeful players have been added to the squad, which will bring competition and a desire to win in the Pistons’ starting lineup. We think in particular Kevin Knox et Nerlens Noel, who will probably try to earn their place in positions 3 and 5 respectively. On the backcourt, Kemba Walker is still a Piston as of this writing, and presumably he’ll start the season with Detroit, which will likely mean he’ll have some minutes off the bench behind Cade Cunningham or in association with him. Bad news for Kilian Hayes, who is putting a strong competitor in the paws, and who will have an even more difficult task to impose himself in the rotation. Cory Joseph will also have a say in the lead, and will be able to slip into the back seat if necessary.
- PLAYER TO WATCH: Cade Cunningham
The Pistons continue to bet on the number 1 in the 2021 Draft. Therefore, for the moment, he is the one who has the keys to the truck on the Michigan side. If he makes progress in managing the Pistons offense, including decision-making and scoring efficiency, the Pistons could begin to envision a future of Play-in appearances. His excellent month of March suggests something positive, but he must gain regularity to transform the Pistons into a stronghold in the East.
A workforce that is growing on the back lines. The offseason was rather good for Detroit with the draft of Jaden Ivey and the arrival of veterans of the experience of Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, who will bring toughness and above all stability so that the season can serve as a springboard for 2023-2024 as much as possible. The Pistons have talent to sell on the back posts but the hierarchy remains to be defined, as Kilian Hayes and Cory Joseph can also claim to obtain more minutes.
Interiors with different profiles. The interior sector is well stocked with the arrivals of Jalen Duren and Nerlens Noel and while Kelly Olynyk, Marvin Bagley and Isaiah Stewart are still there. As with the backcourt, competition will be fierce to determine the hierarchy in the rotation on positions 4 and 5.
Cade Cunningham-Kilian Hayes, l’impossible cohabitation ?
One wonders if the Frenchman and the nº1 of the 2021 Draft can play and develop in the same jersey. Both need to have the ball in hand to give the best of themselves.
Despite progress, a somewhat tight team. Despite the improvement in the workforce, we wonder who will be able to score consistently night after night with our friends in Michigan. If the two Rookies adapt quickly to the NBA, they can bring in Cunningham and Burks, but aside from the first two offensive options, a big question mark hangs over the Motown players’ offensive abilities.
Who for to score in? If Marvin Bagley is interesting offensively and has shown great things since arriving in Detroit last winter, he will be somewhat lonely in it on offense. Dwane Casey will probably be keen not to ask too much of Jalen Duren from the start, he who has more of a profile as a circle protector and pick n’ roll player than a real offensive threat. Moreover, some observers compare Andre Drummond, which is sure to give some Pistons fans a cold sweat…
A somewhat short staff. Despite what we wrote above, the Pistons’ squad lacks depth, at least at the time of writing. There are far too many unknowns about the ability of the two Rookies to integrate and provide input, and the various backs and insides seem a little too one-dimensional to be able to dominate this season.
In an Eastern Conference which is strengthening, and especially in the Central Division, that of the Pistons, the Detroit team will have a hard time once again accessing the Play-in. The workforce presents far too many unknowns in terms of pure talent and cohesion to be able to predict anything other than the background of the Eastern Conference, even if certain elements may suggest more immediate progress. Indeed, if Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey continue their progression and gain in consistency and efficiency, the Pistons will instantly present a new face. It is hoped that the increased competition on the backcourt can act as a trigger for Kilian Hayes. As for the domestic sector, Dwane Casey will be able to use the diversity of profiles to his advantage, but overall the workforce seems a bit short to us to be able to taste the Postseason from this year.