Detroit Pistons: Biggest Questions For 2022-23

We continue our Biggest Questions series with another Central Division team, paying a visit to Motown.

The Detroit Pistons had a strong offseason, nabbing two exciting picks in the NBA Draft, with Jaden Ivey at No. 5, and Jalen Duren (No. 13, from Charlotte).

But there's no doubt at this point that the Pistons will go as far as last year's top pick will take them.

Big Question #1: What's next for Cade Cunningham?

Cunningham is clearly the franchise now in Detroit. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2021, he started slowly in his rookie season, but came on with an inspired second half that put him right back into the Rookie of the Year talk (he finished 3rd, behind winner Scottie Barnes and runner-up Evan Mobley).

After the All-Star break, Cunningham posted averages of 21 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He proved he was ready to lead. And that's despite a couple of facets of his game that could still use improvement—not the least of which, 3-point shooting, which finished at 29%. And leads us to the next question:

Big Question #2: How will they space the floor?

The Pistons finished 29th in the NBA last season in 3-point percentage (32.6%), and they've really done nothing in the offseason to address that, aside from the hope of internal improvement.

The way the game is played these days, being able to space the floor and hit threes is of utmost importance to winning. Jerami Grant was the only volume shooter on the team that hit at least 35% from distance, and he was traded in the offseason, as had been long expected.

Things are looking up in Detroit with an impressive young under-25 core; how coach Dwane Casey will put it all together could be the other question that needs answering this season.

Johnny Kane found a good friend at the #Tigers game -- #Pistons head coach Dwane Casey. Hear what Casey thinks of the summer his team has had. #DetroitRoots @JohnnyKaneTV pic.twitter.com/S6DtljAmE4
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) August 31, 2022