{"id":152587,"date":"2025-07-28T20:00:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T00:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=152587"},"modified":"2025-07-28T20:00:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T00:00:49","slug":"power-rankings-show-detroit-pistons-as-emerging-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/28\/power-rankings-show-detroit-pistons-as-emerging-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"Power Rankings Show Detroit Pistons Emerging as NBA Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Pistons<\/a>, long dismissed as one of the NBA\u2019s worst teams, have finally flipped the script. Ranked 10th in The Athletic\u2019s latest NBA power rankings<\/a>, the Pistons are no longer a rebuilding project or a league afterthought \u2014 they\u2019re a team to watch heading into the 2025-26 season. After five consecutive losing seasons, the Pistons surprised many with a 44-38 record and a tough playoff series against the New York Knicks.<\/p>\n

That turnaround began with a leadership overhaul. J.B. Bickerstaff replaced Monty Williams on the sidelines, while Trajan Langdon stepped in after the dismissal of Troy Weaver. On the court, Cade Cunningham<\/a> leaped from promising prospect to full-blown star<\/a>, averaging 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game, earning both an All-Star selection and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. Veteran Tobias Harris<\/a> brought stability to the locker room, and rising big man Jalen Duren<\/a> continued his development, giving the Pistons a reliable interior presence.<\/p>\n

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May 1, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the second half during game six of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the momentum, the Pistons’ offseason was marked by numerous roster changes that have left fans divided. Some worry that last year\u2019s success was a one-year outlier, while others believe Langdon\u2019s long-term vision is still taking shape. With skepticism lingering from previous missteps, the question now is: Should fans trust Langdon to keep pushing the franchise forward? With intriguing new faces, is this still a top-10 team, or just the start of something bigger?<\/p>\n

Power Rankings Show Detroit Pistons Emerging as NBA Threat<\/h2>\n

Off-Season Moves That Boosted the Pistons\u2019 Power Ranking<\/h3>\n

Free agency opened under a cloud of uncertainty for the Pistons. Malik Beasley<\/a>, fresh off a strong season that saw him finish second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, was expected to receive a contract extension. However, off-court issues derailed those plans, forcing the Pistons to pivot in a new direction.<\/p>\n

In response, the Pistons added Caris LeVert<\/a> and Duncan Robinson<\/a> to bolster their perimeter shooting. LeVert offers more than just scoring \u2014 he can create offense off the dribble, defend multiple positions, and lead the second unit with poise. Robinson, long regarded as a top-tier three-point threat, also brings an underrated ability to attack closeouts and finish at the rim, adding more versatility to the Pistons\u2019 wing position.<\/p>\n

The departures of Dennis Schr\u00f6der<\/a> and Tim Hardaway Jr.<\/a> certainly sting, but the Pistons seem confident in their internal development. Jaden Ivey<\/a> will take on a larger playmaking role this season. Rookie Chaz Lanier<\/a> could become a reliable shooter off the bench. The front office avoided overspending or adding unnecessary players<\/a>. They stayed focused on the team\u2019s identity and key areas for improvement.<\/p>\n

Homegrown Heat<\/h3>\n

The Pistons\u2019 success may hinge less on blockbuster acquisitions and more on the continued growth of their homegrown talent. Ron Holland<\/a> turned heads in the Summer League, showcasing an improved scoring arsenal to complement his already impressive defensive instincts. With his two-way potential, he\u2019s positioning himself as a valuable rotation piece early in the season. Meanwhile, Ausar Thompson<\/a> used the offseason to add muscle and refine his all-around game. Thompson, an elite defender, will expand offensively,\u00a0initiating plays, slashing to the rim, and creating in transition.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the biggest X-factor is Ivey. Before his injury, Ivey was carving out a role as a reliable No. 2 option alongside Cunningham and proving he could run the offense when he sits. If he can return to that form, aggressive, efficient, and confident, then the Pistons\u2019 backcourt could be among the league\u2019s most dynamic. His development will likely be one of the most significant determining factors in whether the Pistons truly live up to their top-10 billing.<\/p>\n

Duren also remains a central figure in the team\u2019s long-term plans. Known for his dominance in the paint, Duren has spent the summer working to expand his range and refine his perimeter shooting. Add in his budding playmaking abilities, and the Pistons may have the tools to diversify their half-court offense, stretching defenses and opening new lanes for their slashers and shooters alike.<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/h3>\n

For the first time in years, the Detroit Pistons enter the season with genuine expectations. Ranked 10th in The Athletic\u2019s latest power rankings, the league is taking notice of the Pistons’ rise. With a revamped front office and a young core continuing to develop, the team\u2019s future looks brighter. Cade Cunningham has firmly established himself as a star and leader. The offseason brought changes but reinforced the Pistons\u2019 long-term vision of growth, development, and smart roster building.<\/p>\n

Still, questions remain. Can Jaden Ivey return to form? Will the roster come together after key offseason departures? And is this the year Detroit makes the leap from hopeful to proven? One thing is sure \u2014 the Pistons are no longer a team anyone can overlook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Pistons, long dismissed as one of the NBA\u2019s worst teams, have finally flipped the script. Ranked 10th in The Athletic\u2019s latest NBA power rankings, the Pistons are no longer a rebuilding project or a league afterthought \u2014 they\u2019re a team to watch heading into the 2025-26 season. After five consecutive losing seasons, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5168,"featured_media":152611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,1608,62,3],"tags":[4704,3965,1070,2803,4107,4432,49172,343],"class_list":["post-152587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pistons","category-basketball","category-nba","category-news","tag-ausar-thompson","tag-cade-cunningham","tag-caris-levert","tag-duncan-robinson","tag-jaden-ivey","tag-jalen-duren","tag-ron-holland","tag-tobias-harris"],"modified_by":"Kenny Kluska","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152587"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152612,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152587\/revisions\/152612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}