Former 15-year NBA veteran JJ Redick recently praised Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver for constructing a promising young roster and even made a bold prediction for the group.
The Pistons, led by Weaver, have hit on quite a few recent draft picks, which has helped form a strong nucleus in Detroit. They are headlined by former top pick Cade Cunningham while Saddiq Bey (19th pick) and Isaiah Stewart (16th pick) have also emerged.
The team also acquired Marvin Bagley III, the former No. 2 pick in 2018, last season ahead of the trade deadline and has Killian Hayes, the seventh pick in 2020. Additionally, they have some veterans, including Hamidou Diallo, Cory Joseph and Kelly Olynyk among others.
Detroit added lottery picks Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren last month.
Certainly, the roster has taken shape over the past couple of years and has offered hope for the future. Redick, speaking on the “Old Man & the Three” podcast, believes the team is on pace for some future success.
Obviously, (they have) Cade but Saddiq Bey. Jaden Ivey looked great in summer league before he got hurt and Isaiah Stewart, I’m a big fan of. I think he is a guy that stars in his role and then the big fella (Duren) from Memphis they just drafted. Troy Weaver has done an outstanding job.
I don’t know if it is next year that they take an Oklahoma-City-Thunder leap where all of a sudden they’re a playoff team and then the following season a contender but I’m excited to see them play over the next 2-3 years. I think, in 2-3 years, they will be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
As Redick mentioned, Ivey was on pace to have a strong summer league but was injured five minutes into his second game and was ruled out of playing again. Duren, on the other hand, had a good run, averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds two assists and one block in three games.
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The Pistons look to be progressing in their rebuild after some great additions. While they don’t have players like Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook like the Thunder did when they made their leap in 2010, they have some strong pieces in place nonetheless.
After finishing near the bottom of the standings in each of the last three years, the Pistons appear to be poised to take the next step, perhaps as soon as the 2022-23 season.
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