New Pistons Addition Teases Breakout Season Under J.B. Bickerstaff

The veteran is expecting to have a big year in Detroit.
Nov 6, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff  during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Nov 6, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons were forced to pivot from their plans for the offseason following the gambling allegations involving veteran guard Malik Beasley coming to light.

With no end to those investigations in sight, Trajan Langdon had to shift his focus to other targets, and the Pistons did rather well for themselves by acquiring veterans Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert.

While training camp is still two months away, one of those new additions to the Motor City is already expecting to have a monster 2025-26 campaign under the tutelage of Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff.

New Piston Caris LeVert Teases Breakout Season Under J.B. Bickerstaff

This coming season will be a reunion of sorts for veteran guard Caris LeVert and Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, as the two previously worked with one another during their time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Given the type of impact that Bickerstaff had on LeVert as a player over that period, the former Michigan Wolverines standout is confident that he will continue to evolve the side of his game that his new coach unlocked in Cleveland.

“I think J.B. brought out a different part of my game. Once I went to Cleveland, I was asked to play defense, and before then, I wasn't really asked to play defense, and I think that's one of the stronger parts of my game now,” LeVert told Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News, via Clutch Points ."I think my time in Cleveland really evolved me as a player, just defensively and kind of playing off the ball as well. I feel like those two or three things really took my game to the next level."

LeVert has always been known for his ability to put the ball in the basket. He has averaged 10+ points per game in every season he has been in the NBA since his rookie year, when he averaged 8.2 points per outing. With an added focus on the defensive side of things now part of his arsenal, he should have an immediate impact for Detroit as the Pistons look to take the next step as a franchise this season.

The veteran is more likely to serve as one of the first guards off the bench for Bickerstaff this season, backing up 2022 lottery pick Jaden Ivey. He should have a major role on the team, though, despite not being projected to be a starter at this time.

Detroit has some very talented young players on its roster. They are still learning how to win at the NBA level on the fly, though. Having veterans who have been there and done that, as LeVert and Robinson have, should help the Pistons continue their ascent back to the top of the Eastern Conference. In addition to his own experiences as a player, LeVert's connection with Bickerstaff should just make that part of his job as a mentor even easier.

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