Season Preview - Detroit Pistons

[TheTwoWallaces]

The Detroit Pistons Front Office has decided that its time for new management. Will that bring CSL Championship basketball back to the Motor City?

This year's team looks a lot like last years.

Returning Players
Kaiser Gates
Frank Nkilitina
Alen Smailagic
Brandon McCoy
Darius Garland
Ivan Rabb
Damian Jones
Tyus Battle
Travis Bader
Abdoulaye N'Doye
Ethan Happ
Oshae Brissett

Departures
Furkan Korkmaz
James Thompson IV

Arrivals
Kenyon Martin Jr
Devin Robinson
Stephen Zimmerman

Projected Depth Chart

Darius Garland / Tyus Battle
Frank Nkilitina / Travis Bader / Abdoulaye N'Doye
Kaiser Gates / Devin Robinson / Kenyon Martin Jr
Alen Smailagic / Ivan Rabb / Oshae Brissett / Ethan Happ
Brandon McCoy / Damian Jones / Stephen Zimmerman

A few interesting storylines

Former #1 overall pick Darius Garland will have a lot to prove in his first contract year. The former Vanderbilt point guard has had mediocre success in his first three seasons in Washington and Detroit respectively. Touted as a traditional slashing PG out of college, Garland has thus far averaged 15.2/4.6/0.9 points/assists/steals, with a particularly disappointing 14.1/3.8/0.8 last season. If Detroit is to overcome their playoff blues, Garland is going to need to take more control and show the Pistons front office that their faith in him is justified.



Garland returned from the offseason and found this note on his locker


SF Furkan "Judas" Korkmaz decided to walk away from Detroit's 4 year/44 million offer in order to sign with division rival Cleveland Cavaliers. Furkan, a notorious little baby, decided that the front office change was enough to justify jumping ship as an Unrestricted Free Agent. When a local fan was asked what he though of the Turkish international's decision, he replied "I always thought he was a b****. Shoots like a b****, plays D like a b****, must be a b****."

To fill the gap left behind by Korkmaz, the Pistons will be relying on rotational minutes from rookie Kenyon Martin Jr and new signee Devin Robinson.


Korkmaz's FA decision is widely considered the biggest betrayal to ever occur on American soil

Power Forward Alen Smailagic's incredible 3rd year jump has left Pistons fans salivating for more from the 20-year old Serbian. Smailagic's 19.8ppg on 47% shooting led the Pistons. However, Smailagic struggled in the postseason, shooting 38% from the floor in Detroit's first round loss. Detroit's success will depend on his ability to find his form again this season.


Alen "Snail Magic" Smailagic "slime and grind" school of basketball was highly successful last season.

Overall, expect nothing crazy from the Pistons this season, as the front office looks to be patient. Chauncey Billups' boys expect to be back in the playoffs, but one never knows in the Eastern Conference. Either way, they're gonna have fun.

[rh0xxy]

Interesting if you can still bring Detroit back in title contention as replacing GM Jon is a big shoes to fill. A playoff team most likely but how far can they go is the question?

Garland and Ntilikina can interchange at PG, it seems a norm these days where both guards are PG worthy. I have heard Kaiser being talk about in trades, not sure if you're really keen on trading him for that?

[Flaming Homer]

Interesting if you can still bring Detroit back in title contention as replacing GM Jon is a big shoes to fill. A playoff team most likely but how far can they go is the question?

This

Letting the team show how they react is the best decision. With a little luck they just had a bad playoff year and going to the finals.
I like the addition of Kenyon Martin Jr., looks like a useful role player.

[emplep7]

Glad to see at least one of these players liked me in Kork even though I didn't like him. Thanks pal.

But this roster is definitely playoff worthy and should be top 4 in the East potentially based on what other changes you make (even with losing Kork). I'll be paying close attention and sending daily trade offers to try and make Oklahoma City turn into Detroit West.