DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Pistons tip off the 2024-25 NBA regular season at home versus the Indiana Pacers. Little Caesars Arena will be rocking as fans across social media have displayed more optimism for the start of Trajan Langdon’s vision.

The Pistons have promised to do their part contributing to the festivities. Fans will be greeted with merch giveaways, concourse activities, as well as music performances from local artists like Skilla Baby when doors open at 5:30pm.

Despite effort put into the pregame party, fans will be most rewarded if the on court performance is as good. Although the last few years have been rough on supporters, they’re still high on the team’s young talent and new leadership.

Cade Cunningham steps into the spotlight after receiving a big contract extension. And now expectation is that Cunningham is finally ready to lead the Pistons to sustained success.

That’s something the Pistons have been trying to do since the dismantling of the beloved “Going to Work” era team. They were most known for winning the 2004 NBA Championship, hard work and defense. And it’s been a while since fans have seen another Pistons team come close to the same type of success.

The prior rebuild attempt dubbed the “Restore” convinced fans waiting was over and that time was ripe for the Pistons ascension.

Young players that became fan favorites, shrewd trades with positive initial reactions and low key signings was enough to take fans spark to full flame. Then the addition of Monty Williams  was supposed to be the finishing touches on a rebuild ready to takeoff. Instead, things sputtered to the NBA’s worst losing streak and the worst season in Detroit Pistons history.

NEW LEADERSHIP

Trajan Langdon

But instead of checking out on yet another Detroit Pistons rebuild, they are giving this current attempt a chance.

Not out of blind optimism, but from a place of curiosity, and intrigue after the organization cleaned house. Previous GM Troy Weaver and the front office was completely brushed aside, while head coach Monty Williams and other assistants were relieved of duty.

The hiring of Trajan Langdon as president of basketball operations (PBO) drew positive criticism from the NBA world. It was largely viewed as a step in the right direction given it would be his vision, and his singular voice directing the ship. The previous front office wasn’t as unified without a PBO, and was a big reason for Langdon’s hire.

Fred Vinson

And one of his first moves was hiring acclaimed shooting coach Fred Vinson, even before hiring eventual head coach JB Bickerstaff. Despite the oddity, it showed Langdon had a vision for helping whichever head coach he would hire. Knowing one of the biggest weaknesses on the team was shooting, Langdon helped bolster the foundation for the new head coach.

It also allowed the team to draft high potential rookie Ron Holland. They loved everything Holland brought to the table, but also understood how important shooting was for his position.

And Fred Vinson has been hard at work since accepting the Pistons job. He’s often seen working with players like Holland, Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson. All promising players that would be helped tremendously if their outside games were to improve.

Through preseason Ivey shot greater than 50% from three, and while Holland didn’t shoot it as well he did prove more ready than many initially thought.

This lends more to the pot in terms of the preseason hype from fans as they hope this is finally the rebuild to end all Pistons rebuilds.

JB Bickerstaff

It seemed wild to imagine the Detroit Pistons moving on from Monty Williams after 1 season and big money left on the books. But the owner Tom Gores felt it best to clear the way for Langdon to make the hires he felt most comfortable with.

Which for Gores shows he’s continuing to learn, grow and evolve as an owner. And with that opportunity JB Bickerstaff was hired as the newest head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

He’s credited with the turnaround that saw the Cleveland Cavaliers go from 19 wins to playoffs under his watch. Something very appealing to Pistons fans who are hoping the this turnaround happens sooner rather than later.

Optimism that may be the case began to swell as Bickerstaff took command of press conferences and media availability. Then the team started to speak very positively about the effect the new coach was already having.

They mentioned things being more organized, easy to understand, and clear process when describing the ways Bickerstaff has already impressed.

Then preseason gave showcase to a new look Pistons team that played with energy, hustle and that popular word making its way around Detroit, GRIT!

They held 3 of 5 preseason opponents under 100 points, while facing lineups featuring stars and starters.

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons star, Cade Cunningham, is entering his fourth season but first after the contract extension over the summer. Though he might not be considered ‘new leadership’, he is stepping into a new place as leader of the Detroit Pistons.

Trajan Langdon has achieved two things this past summer the previous regime couldn’t quite get right:

1. ADD OUTSIDE SHOOTING
2. ADD RELIABLE VETERANS

With the additions of Tim Hardaway, Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris they hit the target. They are veteran players who can still contribute at a high level from behind the arc, while displaying the much needed ability of availability.

Most are hoping this will help unlock Cunningham with some projecting an all-star caliber year.

Looking Up?

Where’s your level of optimism and expectations for the 2024-25 Detroit Pistons? While there are still questions about what this team will be defensively, you cant go wrong starting with Jalen Duren.

But Duren and the other bigs like Isaiah Stewart, who is the longest tenured Piston, will have to show growth, resiliency and toughness for an entire season. The spurts they’ve shown prove how good they can be, but injuries have stalled progress each of the last 2 seasons.

Head coach JB Bickerstaff has already talked about the excitement behind the defensive pairing of Duren and Stewart as well as the possibilities. Where they may lack in height or size, they can excel in athleticism, high IQ and physicality that caught Bickerstaff’s eye while he was still coaching the Cavs.

There’s a lot to like, some fair questions to ponder and some things that are going to be big ol’ question marks. By no means is this team a finished product, even after the offseason additions. But fans will see signs of the train moving in the right direction this season.

More Detroit Pistons Content

___

Follow Brandon Dent (Woodward Sports Network Pistons Beat Reporter) aka @DetroitKoolAid on Twitter and Instagram for more WSN Pistons Coverage.

Tweet: @WoodwoodSports or comment on your favorite social media platform!

The Woodward Sports Shop has ALL NEW Apparel – check it out here!

Want More Detroit Pistons?

Check out all of our Pistons coverage with Woodward Pistons via YouTube

Subscribe to Woodward Pistons on Apple Podcasts|Spotify|Spreaker

Photo Credit: Brandon Dent – Woodward Sports Network