Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon announced during a pre-draft press conference that he’s focused on retaining and developing the team’s current roster rather than making an aggressive trade for a star-caliber player.
Langdon has confidence in the current collection of young players and veteran pieces that gave the Pistons their first playoff win since 2008.
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“We’re not going to be super aggressive this summer, I don’t think‚” said Langdon. “I don’t foresee any of that. It’s just developing from within and hoping to keep a couple vet pieces that we had on the roster this past year.”
Pistons have a franchise player
The biggest reason the Pistons don’t have to swing for a star player this offseason is because they already have one in 23-year-old Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham has improved in each year since he was drafted in 2021 but he solidified himself as a star in the past season, averaging 26.1 PPG, 6.1 REB, 9.1 AST on 47% shooting from the field.
Cunningham was selected for his first all-star appearance as well as an All-NBA Third Team selection.
Cunningham established himself as one of the league’s top players but most importantly, he learned how to lead a team to wins in the NBA. Cunningham became more of a vocal leader while still leading the team in points, assists and usage.
Part of the reason for Cunningham’s ascendance is the addition of veterans that fit seamlessly around his play style.
Guards Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schroeder and forward Tobias Harris provided a veteran presence to a young team and supported Cunningham’s leadership by remaining steady in their roles.
It’s a luxury to have a franchise cornerstone in the NBA. It’s the first piece needed to win a championship and the Pistons have that in Cunningham.
High cost free agency and trade market
The going-price for star players in the trade market is high this offseason as multiple trades involved trading several key players and draft capital for one player.
The Orlando Magic traded point guard Cole Anthony, 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick swap and 2030 first-round pick for Memphis guard Desmond Bane in a blockbuster trade.
The Houston Rockets traded guard Jalen Green, veteran wing Dillon Brooks, 2025 first-round pick (No.10), 2025 second-round pick (No. 59, via OKC), Two 2026 second-round picks, 2030 second-round pick (via BOS), 2032 second-round pick for Phoenix star forward Kevin Durant.
This year’s free agency class is relatively weak as there aren’t any stars who are in their prime available. The top free agents are Lebron James, Kyrie Irving and James Harden who are all past their primes.
There are some solid options in Indiana center Myles Turner, Minnesota forward Nas Reid, Dallas forward P.J. Washington and Rockets guard Fred Vanvleet (if Rockets decline team option) but those moves don’t move the needle enough for the high price tag those players come with.
Signing a high-price free agent could cause the Pistons to lose out on resigning Beasley, Schroeder, and Hardaway Jr.
Turn prospects into stars
Last season the Pistons were the fourth youngest team in the NBA by age with the average player being 24.278 years old. Even with the addition of key veterans, the Pistons are mostly made up of young players who have great potential. Langdon wants to see which players will reach that potential.
23-year-old guard Jaden Ivey missed most of the past season after suffering a broken fibula 30 games into the year. Before the injury, he was just starting to find his groove, averaging 17.6 PPG, 4.1 REB, 4.0 AST on 46% shooting from the field. Ivey has the potential to be a secondary star to Cunningham but the pair have had limited playtime together due to injuries.
During the 2024-2025 season 22-year-old forward Ausar Thompson proved to be a lockdown defender and a high-flying finisher at the rim, averaging 10.1 PPG, 5.1 REB, 2.3 AST on 53.5% shooting from the field. Thompson also contributed 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game which is a reflection of his intensity on the defensive end.
Thompson was featured as the Pistons primary defender against the opposing team’s star guards and wings.
In game 5 of the Pistons first round matchup against the New York Knicks, Thompson had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks while being the primary defender on Knicks’ star point guard, Jalen Brunson.
Thompson‘s excellent on-ball pressure forced Brunson into taking several contested shots. Brunson scored 16 points on 4 of 16 shooting and 4 turnovers.
Thompson has high instincts and intangibles that allow him to be an impact on both sides of the floor which could help him develop into a two-way star.
21-year-old center Jalen Duren got off to a slow start during the past season following a solid sophomore season. Duren faced criticism for his defensive lapses and lack of improvement from the prior year.
Duren’s third-year slump lasted until January in which he stepped up his intensity and effort on both ends of the floor. Duren finished the season averaging 11.8 PPG, 10.3 REB, 2.7 AST on 69% shooting from the field.
Duren’s chemistry with Cunningham in the pick-and-roll and interior presence are pivotal to the Pistons’ success. The Pistons were 29-12 when Duren achieved a double-double during the past season.
These young players have question marks over their heads are far as what type of players they will develop into but last season’s run to the playoffs is an encouraging sign.