There is no way around it. The Detroit Pistons have joined two other Detroit sports teams (Tigers and Red Wings) by officially entering a total or very near total teardown and rebuild. New Pistons general manager Troy Weaver was very active this past week first with the 2020 NBA draft and then free agency. The Pistons gutted the bulk of the teams roster, now youth is being served in Motown and that is just fine.
Whenever and new general manager takes over a team he generally begins to make changes to meet his idea of a successful roster and even coaching staff. The Detroit Pistons are already fortunate to have a very good head coach so Dwane Casey was not going anywhere.
That did not stop Weaver from taking an axe to most of the Detroit Pistons roster. During the 2020 NBA Draft the Pistons entered the draft with just one pick at No. 7 overall. Weaver then weaved some magic and the Pistons had two more first round draft picks.
When the dust had settled, Bruce Brown, Tony Snell, Luke Kennard, Thon Maker, as well as others were jettisoned off. A few players survived Troy Weaver’s purge.
Gone is the bulk of a roster that struggled both as a group and as individuals to fine consistency on the court. Enter a young roster with more athleticism than the Pistons have had in recent years.
With any roster change over there are risks. Players may not pan out. Players may not quite live live up to scouting reports. However, Troy Weaver did the right thing. Get as many draft picks as possible and roll the dice a few players will pan out.
This is at the heart of any teams rebuild. The Detroit Pistons had a nationally praised 2020 draft. The players selected have high upside with as expected a few red flags. That did not stop nor should it have Weaver from going through with some big daring moves.
The Detroit Pistons are the talk of the NBA. Troy Weaver has deconstructed a roster that by and large failed. He has begun to put players together that are both young and athletic.
It will be interesting to see this group of Pistons players grow and mature both next season and beyond.
