So, the best part of the year for non-contending teams is here. The Pistons will kick off their offseason with the NBA Draft. This first step will set several other things into motion. Who and where they select their first pick will allow the other pieces to fall into place.
I personally am in the Jaden Ivey camp. I think that's the way to go. One of the top priorities for this team is finding a backcourt mate for Cade Cunningham. I think the draft is the way to get that done. While most of the attention is focused on the lottery pick, I don't think the second-round pick should be overlooked. Troy Weaver has displayed his ability to draft well in the previous two drafts. I'll be curious to see what they do in the second round as well. Perhaps another wing player.
The next step is free agency. At first, I thought of signing a big as either the new guy or Marvin Bagley III. Now, I'm thinking that the Pistons may retain Bagley and sign a new big. I've started thinking this because it's totally possible that Olynyk gets traded in the coming days. Olynyk underperformed this season and the Pistons need more size. They can find the shooting through other avenues. Perhaps, through free agency and the draft. Olynyk just doesn't seem to fit the mold that the Pistons are building.
I think the possibility of signing a scoring guard is rather high. Someone like Denis Schroder or Collin Sexton wouldn't be a bad idea. To be honest, I'm for anything that pushes Cory Joseph out of the rotation. The Pistons aren't winning at a high level with him as a significant piece.
The final thing to look out for is the classic Troy Weaver surprise trade. Last season, I was surprised to see Mason Plumlee traded away in what was essentially a swap for Kelly Olynyk. Could we see a similar move to create additional cap space to really make a push to improve the roster this offseason? Troy Weaver isn't the type to "ride it out" or "wait and see." There will be a significant amount of roster continuity going forward, but the more veteran pieces could be swapped out going forward.
It could be a quiet offseason because the largest opportunity for improvement with the Pistons is with the continued growth of Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Sadiq Bey, and Isaiah Stewart. There is of course, always the hope that someone like Saben Lee or Luka Garza makes big strides as well, but that's not something any team can count on.
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