Last season: 60-22, lost to Cleveland in the second round.
COACH: J.B. Bickerstaff (3rd season with Pistons, 10th season overall 359-350).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 20 vs. Boston.
DEPARTURES: F Tobias Harris, C Isaiah Stewart, G Caris LeVert.
ADDITIONS: F John Collins, G Isaiah Joe, F Taurean Prince, G Ebuka Okori.
The Pistons are favored to repeat as Central Division champions, but they're behind Philadelphia, the New York Knicks and Boston in odds to win the East a season after winning a conference-high 60 games. That seems reasonable because the other contenders appear to have more talent on the roster. Detroit didn't make a major move in the offseason, banking on its young players continuing to develop. Cade Cunningham, coming off an All-NBA season, is aiming to take the next step by cutting down turnovers after ranking fourth and second in that category the last two seasons. All-Star center Jalen Duren, who signed a contract extension after missing the start of training camp, will have every opportunity to establish himself as the team's second star.
The good: Cunningham is one of the NBA's best players, finishing fifth in MVP voting last season. Ausar Thompson, who signed a contract extension in the offseason, made the All-Defensive team last season and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting after averaging a league-high two steals per game.
The not-so-good: Even during Detroit's renaissance the last two years, it has struggled to shoot from the outside. The Pistons connected on just 11 3-pointers per game last year, when only Sacramento made fewer 3-pointers. Turnovers, led by Cunningham, who handles the ball a lot as a point guard, have also been a problem that hasn't been fixed.
Cunningham averaged 23.9 points, a career-high 9.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds last season and could be even more productive this season. Even though Duren got paid, signing a $200 million, five-year deal, he has a lot to prove after being exposed for his offensive shortcomings in the playoffs. Joe, acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City, is a desperately needed shooter. He has made 681 3-pointers over the last four regular seasons, connecting on 41.5% of his attempts past the arc during that span. Collins was signed in free agency and essentially replaces Harris, who left to join the San Antonio Spurs.
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