The Detroit Pistons' roster will likely feature plenty of new faces once the 2025-26 season tips off, as Trajan Langdon looks to build on the success the franchise enjoyed this past year.
There are several directions the Pistons can go to upgrade this roster over the summer. The future at the power forward and shooting guard positions is still up in the air, as Tobias Harris is entering a contract year and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley have the opportunity to test the free agent market this July.
One of the other areas of need s veteran leadership. Of the players under contract for this coming season, only Harris has meaningful playoff experience under his belt. Having veterans who have been there and done that only makes the learning curve for the Pistons' young stars that much easier to manage.
Ex-Pistons Guard Now Available for Reunion After Option Declined
Detroit might not have to look very far to find that sort of veteran leadership that Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren can grow from over an 82-game regular season slate. According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Orlando Magic are declining the team options on Cory Joseph and Gary Harris.
Just In: The Orlando Magic have declined team options for Gary Harris ($7.5 million) and Cory Joseph ($3.47 million) for the 2025-26 season as part of the Desmond Bane trade, league sources told @hoopshype. pic.twitter.com/DmmUnPt3ai
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 17, 2025
Joseph recently suited up for the Pistons as he was a member of the roster from 2020 through 2023 and put up some of the best numbers of his career while calling Detroit his home. In 146 appearances for the Pistons, 52 of which featured Joseph as a member of the starting lineup, the former Texas Longhorns standout averaged 8.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game.
The most impressive stat from his stint in Motor City could very well be that he shot just under 40% from beyond the arc, a skill that is in high demand in today's NBA. Between that and the veteran leadership he could provide in a reserve role behind Cade Cunningham, there are enough reasons to think it is worthwhile for Langdon and the Pistons' front office to see if a reunion would be something Joseph has interest in at this stage of his career.