Detroit Pistons: Five things you need to know

• Pistons' "Bad Boys" era defined 1980s NBA toughness and physicality
• Three NBA championships (1989, 1990, 2004) anchor franchise legacy
• Currently in long rebuild focused on developing young talent such asCade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA with almost 80 years of history. The Pistons have been crowned champions three times, fielding some of the most iconic teams in NBA history including the ‘Bad Boys’ of the late ‘80s early ‘90s. After great success in the mid 2000s, the Pistons entered a period of struggle. Attempting multiple rebuilds throughout the 2010s, the Pistons have found their feet in 2025, building around young stars like Cade Cunningham who has spurred the Pistons ascension in the East.

2024-25 NBA Season Summary

• Record: 44-38
• Finish: 6th seed (Lost in First Round)
• All-Star Selections:z Cade Cunningham

Coming off a season where they tied the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history, the Detroit Pistons made a huge leap in the 2024/25 season, increasing their win total by 30 and jumping from last place in the Eastern Conference to sixth. Thanks to some quality offseason moves and huge leaps from their young core, the Detroit Pistons were the NBA’s most surprising team. Despite losing in the first round to the New York Knicks, the Pistons’ 2024-25 season was a huge success.

Offseason Moves

Re-signing: Paul Reed returns on 2-year deal

Additions: Caris LeVert agrees to 2-year deal; Duncan Robinson agrees to 3-year deal via sign-and-trade

Departures

• Simone Fontecchio departs via trade with Heat
• Tim Hardaway Jr. departs in free agency to Nuggets
• Dennis Schröder departs in free agency to Kings
• Lindy Waters III departs in free agency to Spurs

This offseason the Detroit Pistons lost core members of their bench unit that was responsible for both being that leadership behind a young starting lineup and adding buckets off the bench. Despite these losses, the additions have been like-for-like with Caris LeVert providing a similar game to that of the departing Tim Hardaway Jr.

With Malik Beasley’s future up in the air, the Pistons moved to trade for Miami Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, hoping he can emulate Beasley’s 319 made threes. The Pistons will be excited to welcome back young gun Jaden Ivey from a broken left fibula which halted the season in which he was averaging a career high 17.6 points per game.

In coach JB Bickerstaff’s second season, the Pistons will continue to play their balanced style of basketball that saw them overachieve in the 2024/25 season. With the All-Star guard steering the offence and high-flyer Ausar Thompson spearheading their defence, expect the Detroit Pistons to replicate last season’s form and book a spot in the playoffs.

2025-26 Predicted Lineup

1. Point Guard: Cade Cunningham
2. Shooting Guard: Jaden Ivey
3. Small Forward: Ausar Thompson
4. Power Forward: Tobias Harris
5. Centre: Jalen Duren

Australians who have played for the Detroit Pistons

Aron Baynes: Born in Gisborne, New Zealand, and raised in Australia, Baynes signed with the Pistons in 2015. During his tenure from 2015 to 2017, he played as a centre, providing a strong defensive presence and rebounding skills. Baynes appeared in 139 games for Detroit, averaging 6.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Thon Maker: Hailing from South Sudan and raised in Australia, Maker was traded to the Pistons in February 2019. He played for Detroit until 2020, appearing in 66 games and averaging 4.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Maker was known for his versatility and shot-blocking ability.

History of the Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons’ roots date back to 1937 when the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons were a semi-professional team. With stints playing in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball League (NBL), the Pistons joined the NBA in 1949. Throughout the 50s, the Pistons made the NBA Finals twice in 1955 and 1956 but unfortunately lost.

After relocating to Detroit and rebranding as the Detroit Pistons in 1957, the franchise entered a period of over two decades where their season performances were continually underwhelming. The tides turned for the Pistons when they drafted point guard Isiah Thomas in the 1981 draft. The early 80s built a strong foundation for their eventual success with key pieces such as Bill Laimbeer, Joe Dumars and coach Chuck Daly joining the franchise in this decade.

Labelled the “Bad Boys” for their defensive minded, physical style of play, the Pistons would win back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, sweeping the iconic Los Angeles Lakers team led by Magic Johnson, in the 1989 NBA Finals.

The Pistons entered their second prime in the 2000s capturing their third championship in the 2004 season and making six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. The 2004 championship team, featuring Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, and Ben Wallace, proved that a team-first approach could overcome superstar-laden opponents.

Since their last Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2008, the Pistons have entered another era filled with failed rebuilds, ownership changes and losing records. This period of struggle culminated in the 2023/24 season when the Pistons tied the record for most consecutive losses with 28. A season later the Pistons made a huge jump, qualifying for the playoffs and making strides in their quest to regain Eastern Conference dominance.

Identity

The Pistons have long embodied Detroit's blue-collar, hardworking spirit. Their "Bad Boys" era in the late 1980s and early 1990s epitomised physical, defensive-minded basketball. Today, the team is focused on developing young talent to build a new contender.

The Pistons' playing style has evolved over the years, from the bruising defence of the Bad Boys to the balanced attack of the 2004 championship team. Today, they aim to play an up-tempo style that showcases their young athletes.

Detroit's passionate fanbase creates a strong home-court advantage. The team's move back to downtown Detroit in 2017 reconnected the franchise with the city's core.

Five Fast Facts:

1. The Pistons have retired 11 numbers, including Isiah Thomas' #11 and Joe Dumars' #4.
2. Detroit's 2004 championship team is considered one of the greatest defensive teams in NBA history.
3. The Pistons played in suburban Detroit from 1978-2017 before returning to downtown.
4. Hall of Famer Bob Lanier is the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 15,488 points.
5. The team's name comes from its origins in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it was named after a piston manufacturing company.

Club Timeline

• 1941: Franchise founded as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons
• 1957: Team relocates to Detroit
• 1989: Pistons win first NBA championship
• 1990: Pistons win second consecutive NBA title
• 2004: Detroit wins third NBA championship

The Detroit Pistons have shown what it takes to reach the pinnacle of basketball across different decades, adopting unique philosophies that have cemented them in NBA history. Home to some of the games most iconic players, the Pistons embody the hard-working and grinding lifestyle of the blue-collar city. After many years of struggle, the franchise is on the rise with superstar Cade Cunningham leading them into one of the most hopeful NBA seasons in decades.