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Detroit Pistons rebuild 'farther away than what people think,' NBA expert says

marlowe alter, detroit free press
·4 min read
6

The Detroit Pistons are lost right now — and it is worse than you might think, according to one NBA expert.

Yes, they're a few weeks into a search for their new president of basketball operations, own a guaranteed top-five pick in June's 2024 NBA draft, and have as much salary cap space this offseason as any team in the NBA. But after four years of an operation led by general manager Troy Weaver, they have a roster with major issues — despite making eight first-round draft picks — and a treasure chest that is hollow.

Sam Vecenie joined last week's "The Pistons Pulse" episode, produced by the Free Press, to discuss his view on the Pistons and the next steps they could (and should) take. Vecenie, one of the preeminent NBA draft voices and a senior writer for The Athletic, put it in black-and-white for listeners when asked by hosts Omari Sankofa II and Bryce Simon what he would do if placed in charge of the franchise.

UPDATE: Pistons president of basketball operations search gaining steam: What we know

After saying he would "survey the market" to gauge the value of Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and their 2024 first-round pick — and if he could not move the pick, he would take French big Alexandre Sarr — Vecenie ripped the bandage off and summarized the Pistons' future bluntly.

"I think they're farther away than what people think, is what I would say," Vecenie said. "I would want to be more deliberate with how I build this roster. Like, I would want to rent out cap space for picks. I would be willing to, like, take the Ben Simmons deal ($40.4 million expiring contract) ... if they (the Nets) were willing to give me pick capital for it, right, or if they were willing to give me an asset for it. I'd be willing to take certain deals that are shorter term in order to try and build my asset base — which by the way, the Pistons are still out one future first-round pick potentially.

"It doesn't seem like ownership and the people that are in charge want that. I understand that, they've been bad for so long. ... I would be more deliberate I think than what the Pistons will be this summer, and I would not plan on winning next year is what I would say."

Vecenie did have high praise for Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in 2021 who averaged 22.7 points and 7.5 assists in 62 games this past season. Vecenie said the Pistons did Cunningham a disservice by surrounding him with a head-scratching roster and plan, specifically mentioning starting Killian Hayes over Jaden Ivey for two months, poor outside shooting (drafting Ausar Thompson fifth overall) and bad defense.

Cade Cunningham during action against the Warriors at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Nov. 6, 2023.
Cade Cunningham during action against the Warriors at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Nov. 6, 2023.

Building around, and maximizing, Cunningham, who turns 23 in September and is eligible to sign a contract extension worth around $40 million per year, should be the only discussion that matters now, Vecenie said.

"You only probably have 5 to 6 years left with Cade Cunningham. And I would want to restart this thing almost entirely to have a chance to be good by the time Cade is good. Like really, really good. ... By good, I mean top-15 guy in the league and I think he will be at some point. By the time he's that, I would want to have a chance to contend, and spending a bunch of money in free agency and having these kids that can't really shoot around him and everything, I would want to build an entirely different way around Cade. I would want to try to get involved in the Ace Bailey, Cooper Flagg (2025) draft, and I would want to try to rent out cap space and get more assets and make it so I have a shot."

THE GUIDE: Pistons 2024 offseason cheat sheet: Free agency & another summer of big decisions

Perth Wildcats' Alexandre Sarr, left, blocks a shot during an NBL match Jan. 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Sarr, a 19-year-old 7-foot-1 big, is one of the best prospects in the 2024 draft that is underwhelming at the top.
Perth Wildcats' Alexandre Sarr, left, blocks a shot during an NBL match Jan. 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Sarr, a 19-year-old 7-foot-1 big, is one of the best prospects in the 2024 draft that is underwhelming at the top.

The irony of the Pistons' predicament: They were the worst team in the NBA this season in a draft where the No. 1 pick is being valued closer to a No. 5 pick in a typical draft, Vecenie said he has learned from conversations around the NBA.

Meanwhile, the 2025 draft is highly regarded at the top — just as the Pistons are messaging they are desperate to improve.

You can watch the entire episode of "The Pistons Pulse" podcast in video form on YouTube or listen and subscribe wherever podcasts are available.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons rebuild 'farther away than what people think'