Detroit Pistons Season Preview: Were The Offseason Moves Impactful Enough?
By Jon Poole
Welcome to another season of NBA BASKETBALL. The Detroit Pistons with Ed Stefanski as their shot caller, for lack of a better title on their part, have wheeled and dealt their way through their second offseason and made a lot of clever moves for what they were.
Though I would say most of the Detroit Pistons’ moves were positive… were they really the necessary moves needed to push this team from league average to contenders in the East?
The Starters
As far as the starting unit is considered, you have (4) of (5) starters returning in Reggie Jackson, Bruce Brown, Blake Griffin & Andre Drummond with Wayne Ellington not resigned in Detroit. The Pistons traded for Tony Snell in the offseason, or should I say the Pistons traded away Jon Leuer in the offseason.
Snell – the prize of unloading an awful contract just so Milwaukee can do the same, is a minor upgrade to Ellington a year ago. Snell has a slight edge shooting as Snell averaged 45%FG & 39%3PT while Ellington was shooting 40%FG & 37%3PT, according to BasketballReference.com. You’re also trading some assists for rebounds here.
By far, the biggest story going into the season for the starters in who may or may not be on the roster at all come seasons end. The Detroit Pistons will be forced to choose a clearer path on this half-n-half rebuild they’re currently trying.
With Andre Drummond with a chance to opt-out at the end of the season and Reggie Jackson in a contract season, it makes them both trade candidates before you lose them for nothing. This is the only success I expect as a Detroit Pistons fan, successful trades and moves to set up a successful rebuild.