Dwane Casey’s 2021-22 Detroit Pistons are not going to be contending for a playoff spot.
They recently had gone more than a month without a victory.
However, they did end their 14-game losing streak on Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back:
Pretty good WWWeekend for Detroit sports 😤
🔹 @SaddiqBey: 26 PTS / 4 REB / 3 AST / 3-6 3PT
🔹 @hamidoudiallo: 15 PTS / 7 REB / 2 AST / 7-10 FG
🔹 @FWJackson15: 12 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST pic.twitter.com/5FESRDYFPe— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 20, 2021
The Pistons stepped up their defense, as Detroit allowed its fewest points since its last victory, a 97-89 win against the Indiana Pacers on November 17.
Detroit fans were very happy on Sunday, as both the Pistons and the Detroit Lions upset their opponents to accomplish this surprisingly rare NBA/NFL feat.
The last time both the Detroit Lions and Pistons won on the same day was Nov. 19, 2017.
Dec. 19, 2021:
🏈 Lions beat the Cardinals, 30-12
🏀 Pistons beat the Heat, 100-90H/T @ChrisBurkeNFL pic.twitter.com/iVBJ0z6LkZ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 20, 2021
So, what are three positive takeaways for Pistons fans this season?
3. Cade Cunningham Is One Of The Best Rookies This Season
The Pistons were lucky enough to get the overall No. 1 selection in the 2021 NBA Draft, and they selected Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State.
In his one year as a Cowboy, he averaged 20 points per game on 40 percent 3-point shooting.
He achieved All-American First Team status in 2020-21, but his 2021-22 season has not been easy.
In a perfect world, the Pistons rookie would not have missed five of Detroit’s first six games this season.
However, he did and the Pistons went 0-5 without him and 1-0 with him to start 2021-22.
He then returned from his sprained right ankle injury to play each of the last 23 games for Detroit.
Unfortunately, since then, Kelly Olynyk (knee) and Jerami Grant (thumb) have each experienced six-week injuries.
Cunningham leads the team in assists and he is second only to Grant in points.
2. Jerami Grant Should Be Back In Time To Be Traded
The Pistons were not going to be a threat in the Eastern Conference prior to Grant’s injury.
Then, he had thumb surgery, and that may have cemented the Pistons as the league’s worst team this year.
According to RealGM, the Pistons are tied for having the third-youngest team in the NBA, and they are even younger without Grant.
With Grant and Olynyk sitting, two of the team’s three players with the most NBA experience are not playing for Casey and the Pistons.
If the Pistons are ready for the rebuild, maybe they will retain Casey for his fifth season while they sell at the trade deadline.
Grant, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract, is the best piece for the Pistons to send away.
Unfortunately, he does not have an expiring contract, as he is owed $20 million in 2021-22 and just under $21 million in 2022-23.
If the Pistons can trade him for a draft pick or two in addition to a young, raw player from a contender, then Grant can help out the Pistons down the road.
1. Another Strong Lottery Draft Pick Is Just Seven Months Away
Speaking of draft picks, the Pistons are putting themselves in a strong position for one of the top five selections in the 2022 draft.
Since the rules changed in 2019, the three teams with the league’s worst record have a 14 percent chance at the No. 1 overall pick.
If Detroit finishes 2021-22 as the NBA’s worst squad, they will have the following odds by pick:
- 14 percent chance
- 13.42 percent chance
- 12.75 percent chance
- 11.97 percent chance
- 47.86 percent chance
Our 3️⃣-game road trip starts tomorrow! 🚗
🏡 Back home next Wednesday.🏡
🎟: https://t.co/nGkpt7kYcE@Ticketmaster | #Pistons pic.twitter.com/U5pGb14GQA— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 20, 2021
Detroit brings their league-worst 2-12 road record into Madison Square Garden, as they look to remain at the bottom of the standings:
NEXT: Pistons Struggling To Show Any Progression This Season
Adam Lowenstein says
Thank you very much, Adam. Would be glad to!