As disappointing as the Game 7 loss to the Cavaliers was for Pistons fans, the 2025-26 campaign was a massive success for Detroit. Many will understandably think that the Pistons could have made a Finals run if they had been more aggressive at the trade deadline.
But it's important to remember that no one was expecting this team to win 60 games and be among the Eastern Conference contenders this season. The core of this team is still very young and has years ahead before it reaches its prime.
With a few savvy offseason moves, the Pistons can easily close the gap between themselves and the title contenders. What should be their priority heading into the offseason?
1- Acquire a No. 2 perimeter option next to Cade Cunningham
Even though he dealt with turnover issues throughout the playoffs and ran out of gas by the end of the Cavs series, Cade Cunningham proved that he can be the No. 1 option for a championship contender. The Pistons' problem was that they couldn't provide their superstar with any help.
Jalen Duren should bounce back and play better going forward, but centers are generally dependent players. They rely on their perimeter players to create shots for them. Even when Duren is at his best, he is unlikely to solve Detroit's offensive issues.
What the Pistons need, therefore, is another perimeter creator. JB Bickerstaff was so desperate for this that he inserted Daniss Jenkins into the starting lineup and even played groups that had Jenkins, Cunningham, and Marcus Sasser on the floor.
This perimeter creator needs to be able to shoot and dribble, without creating any defensive issues. These players are obviously not easy to find, so the Pistons have to be aggressive in the trade market.
2- Get more shooting
As important as acquiring more shot creators is bringing in more shot makers. The Pistons didn't have an elite shooter all season besides Duncan Robinson. This made them highly dependent on Robinson, and when he was dealing with a back injury late in the Cavs series, the Pistons' offense struggled.
In their best lineups, the Pistons have Ausar Thompson and a non-shooting big on the floor. This already creates spacing issues. Cunningham will be the third player on the court, which means that the Pistons have to have two solid shooters in the remaining two spots.
By shooters, we are talking about Duncan Robinson, Malik Beasley-level marksmen rather than Tobias Harris or Daniss Jenkins, who don't necessarily strike fear into opposing defenses. This has to be a top priority over the summer.
3- Play hardball with Jalen Duren
Contract extension negotiations with Duren will be the most fascinating storyline of the Pistons' offseason.
The way Duren played in the regular season deserves a max contract. His playoff performance, on the other hand, is deserving of half that contract at best. Where will the Pistons and Duren land in their negotiations?
If Duren makes an All-NBA team, he will be eligible for a five-year, $287 million deal. If he misses the cut, he can still sign a five-year, $239 million contract. This would start his salary for the 2026-27 season at $41.4 million.
The Pistons can't afford to give Duren this extension without serious negotiations. Overpaying your own players in contract extensions is a surefire way for teams to limit their financial flexibility and mess up their future.
If Duren gets a max offer sheet in restricted free agency, sure, the Pistons should go ahead and match it. But GM Trajan Langdon should be comfortable being uncomfortable. He shouldn't be putting the Pistons in a difficult stop by potentially making Duren untradeable on a max contract.
The most another team can offer Duren is a four-year, $177 million contract. The Pistons should be hesitant to give Duren significantly more than this amount.
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