Trajan Langdon has a plan for Pistons, and he'll have to answer for it

If the Detroit Pistons got worse this offseason, then their three best players didn’t get better. 

And if they didn’t get better in June, July and August, the Pistons aren’t going anywhere in April and May anyway. 

Scoff all you want. But Trey Murphy III isn’t changing that. LeBron James isn’t changing that. Even Kawhi Leonard wasn’t changing that. 

Well, maybe Leonard would change that. But not even Leonard – still headed back to Toronto, pending the NBA’s investigation into his extra compensation in LA – would take last season’s version of Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren to the NBA Finals this June. (Yes, we’re assuming Jalen Duren will be back.)  

That version of those three wasn’t ready to play for a title, and if they come back just the same, they won’t be this season either.  

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Whatever else we know about Trajan Langdon, we can assume he knows that. Mostly because the Pistons’ president of baseball operations implied it during his season-ending media availability. 

We can also assume that as he thought about his team and its needs this offseason, he thought about the last 2½ minutes of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. 

Those 150 seconds not only changed the direction of the Pistons’ postseason but defined it. More on them in a moment. 

First, back to Leonard, and Langdon’s reported pursuit of a proven second scorer.  

Banking on Leonard to stay healthy for consecutive seasons is a gamble; even last season, he appeared in just 65 games. And that was his second-most since playing 74 in 2016-17. Still, that gamble was one Langdon was reportedly willing to make, if Leonard had been interested in coming to Detroit (and the Clippers didn’t insist the Pistons gut their team to pay for the trade).  

But Leonard wasn’t interested. Langdon moved on.  

Fault Langdon, if you must, for not finding a way to add a proven second scorer to the Pistons roster.

But don’t be surprised. Not because he’s afraid to deal – or afraid to win. And not because he’s been infected with some imaginary bug that leaves only Detroit sports execs unable to swing big trades.  

No, don’t be surprised because Langdon told us as much in May after the Pistons lost to the Cavaliers in six games in the second round of the NBA playoffs. He knew his team needed to get better. He said the improvement would have to come from outside and from the inside. 

Here’s a look at the reshaped Eastern Conference. The following ranking with odds to win the East in 2026-27 is based on MGM Sportsbook odds as of July 3. Rookie first-round picks listed with draft pick slot.

<1 / 16

Here’s a look at the reshaped Eastern Conference. The following ranking with odds to win the East in 2026-27 is based on MGM Sportsbook odds as of July 3. Rookie first-round picks listed with draft pick slot.

<2 / 16

1. New York Knicks, +325 (3.25-1)

Lost: Mitchell Robinson, Ariel Hukporti

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Jalen Brunson

• SG: Mikal Bridges

• SF: Josh Hart

• PF: OG Anunoby

• C: Karl-Anthony Towns

• Key reserves: Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado, Andre Drummond

Key reserves: Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado, Andre Drummond

<3 / 16

2. Boston Celtics, +450

• Added: Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, Mike Conley Jr., Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 27)

• Lost: Jaylen Brown, Nikola Vučević

Added: Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, Mike Conley Jr., Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 27)

Lost: Jaylen Brown, Nikola Vučević

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Payton Pritchard

• SG: Derrick White

• SF: Paul George

• PF: Jayson Tatum

• C: Neemias Queta

• Key reserves: Mitchell Robinson, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Hugo González

Key reserves: Mitchell Robinson, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Hugo González

<4 / 16

3. Philadelphia 76ers, +700

• Added: Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, Ariel Hukporti, Labaron Philon Jr. (No. 22)

• Lost: Paul George, Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond

Added: Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, Ariel Hukporti, Labaron Philon Jr. (No. 22)

Lost: Paul George, Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Tyrese Maxey

• SG: VJ Edgecombe

• SF: Jaylen Brown

• PF: Dean Wade

• C: Joel Embiid

• Key reserves: Anfernee Simons, Labaron Philon Jr., Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards

Key reserves: Anfernee Simons, Labaron Philon Jr., Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards

<5 / 16

4. Detroit Pistons, +750

• Added: John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Ebuka Okorie (No. 17)

• Lost: Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart

Added: John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Ebuka Okorie (No. 17)

Lost: Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart

Projected starting lineup and bench

C: Jalen Duren (assuming a re-signing)

Key reserves: Daniss Jenkins, Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed, Ron Holland, Kevin Huerter, Javonte Green, Caris LeVert

<6 / 16

5. Toronto Raptors, +800

• Added: Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Anderson, Allen Graves (No. 19)

• Lost: Brandon Ingram, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Gradey Dick

Added: Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Anderson, Allen Graves (No. 19)

Lost: Brandon Ingram, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Gradey Dick

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Immanuel Quickley

• SG: RJ Barrett

• SF: Kawhi Leonard

• PF: Scottie Barnes

• C: Jakob Poeltl

• Key reserves: Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Kyle Anderson, Allen Graves

Key reserves: Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Kyle Anderson, Allen Graves

<7 / 16

6. Miami Heat, +850

• Added: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr.

• Lost: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Norman Powell, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis

Added: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr.

Lost: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Norman Powell, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Davion Mitchell

• SG: Pelle Larsson

• SF: Andrew Wiggins

• PF: Bam Adebayo

• C: Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Key reserves: Tim Hardaway Jr., Bobby Portis, Nikola Jović, Simone Fontecchio

Key reserves: Tim Hardaway Jr., Bobby Portis, Nikola Jović, Simone Fontecchio

<8 / 16

7. Cleveland Cavaliers, +900

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: James Harden

• SG: Donovan Mitchell

• SF: Max Strus

• PF: Evan Mobley

• C: Jarrett Allen

• Key reserves: Sam Merrill, Dennis Schröder, Jaylon Tyson, Thomas Bryant

Key reserves: Sam Merrill, Dennis Schröder, Jaylon Tyson, Thomas Bryant

<9 / 16

8. Indiana Pacers, 16-1

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Tyrese Haliburton

• SG: Andrew Nembhard

• SF: Aaron Nesmith

• PF: Pascal Siakam

• C: Ivica Zubac

• Key reserves: T.J. McConnell, Kelly Oubre Jr., Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker

Key reserves: T.J. McConnell, Kelly Oubre Jr., Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker

<10 / 16

9. Atlanta Hawks, 25-1

Adding: Kingston Flemings (No. 8), Zuby Ejiofor (No. 23)

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: CJ McCollum

• SG: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

• SF: Dyson Daniels

• PF: Jalen Johnson

• C: Onyeka Okongwu

• Key reserves: Kingston Flemings, Zaccharie Risacher, Jock Landale, Mouhamed Gueye

Key reserves: Kingston Flemings, Zaccharie Risacher, Jock Landale, Mouhamed Gueye

<11 / 16

10. Orlando Magic, 30-1

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Jalen Suggs

• SG: Desmond Bane

• SF: Franz Wagner

• PF: Paolo Banchero

• C: Wendell Carter Jr.

• Key reserves: Anthony Black, Jamal Cain, Tristan da Silva, Goga Bitadze

Key reserves: Anthony Black, Jamal Cain, Tristan da Silva, Goga Bitadze

<12 / 16

11. Charlotte Hornets, 30-1

• Adding: Naz Reid, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith, Hannes Steinbach (No. 14), Christian Anderson Jr. (No. 18)

• Losing: LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Josh Green

Adding: Naz Reid, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith, Hannes Steinbach (No. 14), Christian Anderson Jr. (No. 18)

Losing: LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Josh Green

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Coby White

• SG: Kon Knueppel

• SF: Brandon Miller

• PF: Naz Reid

• C: Moussa Diabaté

• Key reserves: Grayson Allen, Sion James, Royce O’Neale, Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hannes Steinbach, Christian Anderson Jr.

Key reserves: Grayson Allen, Sion James, Royce O’Neale, Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hannes Steinbach, Christian Anderson Jr.

<13 / 16

12. Washington Wizards, 60-1

Adding: Deandre Ayton, AJ Dybantsa (No. 1)

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Trae Young

• SG: Kyshawn George

• SF: AJ Dybantsa

• PF: Anthony Davis

• C: Alex Sarr

• Key reserves: Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Deandre Ayton, Bilal Coulibaly, Will Riley

Key reserves: Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Deandre Ayton, Bilal Coulibaly, Will Riley

<14 / 16

13. Milwaukee Bucks, 400-1

• Adding: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, Brayden Burries (No. 10), Nate Ament (No. 13)

• Losing: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

Adding: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, Brayden Burries (No. 10), Nate Ament (No. 13)

Losing: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Ryan Rollins

• SG: Tyler Herro

• SF: Jaime Jaquez Jr.

• PF: Kyle Kuzma

• C: Myles Turner

• Key reserves: Brayden Burries, A.J. Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, Nate Ament

Key reserves: Brayden Burries, A.J. Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, Nate Ament

<15 / 16

14. Chicago Bulls, 400-1

• Adding: Norman Powell, Nic Claxton, Caleb Wilson (No. 4), Dailyn Swain (No. 15)

• Losing: Collin Sexton, Anfernee Simons

Adding: Norman Powell, Nic Claxton, Caleb Wilson (No. 4), Dailyn Swain (No. 15)

Losing: Collin Sexton, Anfernee Simons

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Josh Giddey

• SG: Norman Powell

• SF: Matas Buzelis

• PF: Caleb Wilson

• C: Nic Claxton

• Key reserves: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, Tre Jones, Jalen Smith, Dailyn Swain

Key reserves: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, Tre Jones, Jalen Smith, Dailyn Swain

<16 / 16

15. Brooklyn Nets, 400-1

• Adding: Julius Randle, Keon Ellis, Moritz Wagner, Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 6), Joshua Jefferson (No. 28)

• Losing: Nic Claxton

Adding: Julius Randle, Keon Ellis, Moritz Wagner, Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 6), Joshua Jefferson (No. 28)

Projected starting lineup and bench

• PG: Mikel Brown Jr.

• SG: Egor Demin

• SF: Michael Porter Jr.

• PF: Julius Randle

• C: Day’Ron Sharpe

• Key reserves: Keon Ellis, Noah Clowney, Terance Mann, Ben Saraf, Nolan Traoré

Key reserves: Keon Ellis, Noah Clowney, Terance Mann, Ben Saraf, Nolan Traoré

Believe it or not, that’s a real strategy – and one employed by a majority of the Association’s most recent champs. For six of the past seven seasons – with only the New York Knicks as outliers – the last team standing banked on its best guys improving and smart role-player additions to get it over the top. 

Oklahoma City, for example, needed more toughness and veteran leadership after the Thunder lost to Dallas in 2024’s second round. Denver needed more perimeter defense and shooting. Boston needed rim protection. Golden State needed depth – and size. You get the idea. 

All of these teams had made the playoffs for a couple (or more) years, and all of them built on young cores and tweaked the fringes depending on specific needs. 

None of them took big swings. They took savvy swings.  

(The Knicks, of course, went bold. It worked. Theirs isn’t the only way, only the most recent.)

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As for the Pistons’ needs? That’s clear: shooting, more shooting and ballhandling. So far, they’ve arguably added those in players such as John Collins, Isaiah Joe and Ebuka Okorie. Whether it is enough depends on the improvement of Cunningham, Thompson and Duren.  

Now, let’s get back to those minutes last May, to Rocket Arena in Cleveland, to the moment when Cade Cunningham had the ball in his hands near midcourt, attempting an inbounds pass with 2:32 left in the fourth, the score tied and the Pistons leading the Cavs, 2-0, in the East semis.  

There was Max Strus, Cleveland’s hyperactive role player guarding Cunningham, waving his arms in the air, trying to bother the Pistons’ star in a must-win game for the Cavaliers.  

Cunningham tried to throw the ball over the top. Strus leapt. Caught the ball. Raced toward his team’s rim. And laid it in, giving Cleveland a 104-102 lead.  

On the Pistons’ next possession, Cunningham turned it over again, this time after throwing a soft pass to a rolling Jalen Duren, which Jarrett Allen easily intercepted.  

Detroit forced Donovan Mitchell to miss. Cunningham eventually came up with the rebound, dribbled up the court, indecisively drove into the paint, left his feet, realized he had nowhere to go and tried to flip a pass to Tobias Harris on the right wing. Harris barely caught the ball, but his momentum carried him out of bounds.  

Three straight Cunningham-driven turnovers.  

Perhaps you’ve forgotten. Langdon has not. 

Nor has he forgotten about Strus leaping to make the steal when the Pistons had the chance to take the lead. A Pistons basket in that possession instead, and, well, who knows? NBA playoff games are lost and won a hundred times in the last few minutes. 

Momentum gathers quickly in that space, when the legs get heavy and the noise begins to suffocate. If Cunningham inbounds the ball and his team finds a bucket, perhaps the legs grow spry again. Maybe they win. If they do, Cleveland almost certainly collapses in Game 4, the Pistons sweep and are rested before facing the Knicks in the conference finals. 

Now, they weren’t beating the Knicks. But they weren’t getting swept, either. Matchups matter too much in the NBA. 

Lose in six or seven games to the defending champs and all of sudden the Pistons don’t look so far away. All of a sudden, the offseason feels different – the experts are suggesting the roster needs slight tweaks, and that the youngsters need more time. 

This may not be your strategy or even my strategy, but it’s a strategy, and it’s far from foolhardy. Langdon – at least for now, and at least until the trade deadline in February – is pushing everything he’s got into the middle of the table, betting on his three best players getting better. 

If they do, the Pistons will contend. If they don’t, Langdon will have to answer for that.