The Detroit Pistons are overachieving this 2024–25 NBA season. Through the team’s first 47 games, it’s 23-24 and eighth in the Eastern Conference—a lot higher than what pundits predicted. A lot of that has to do with a young superstar in the making breaking out big time, young studs figuring things out finally, and some veterans providing leadership. Unsurprisingly, that’s the same dynamic you’ll see at play in this Detroit fantasy draft.
(For our previous NBA Roster Insider Drafts, just click here: Atlanta Hawks | Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets | Charlotte Hornets | Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers | Dallas Mavericks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Houston Rockets | Indiana Pacers | Memphis Grizzlies | Miami Heat | Milwaukee Bucks | Minnesota Timberwolves)
Your Main Man: Cade Cunningham
There were signs all along that Cade Cunningham would be an all-around guard who could fill up the stat sheet. But he’s blazing past expectations this season, turning into a do-it-all superstar who could put up big numbers and carry a team to wins.
As of this writing, Detroit is 23-24 thanks largely to Cunningham’s stellar play through 42 games—24.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 35.6 minutes. Those are career-high numbers across the board, and they might even go higher as the Pistons rev up for a potential push into the playoffs.
Surefire Studs: Jalen Duren, Malik Beasley
Duren has been putting up modest numbers—10.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks—this season. But he is also playing less at 25.4 minutes an outing through 43 games. But as the season progresses, Duren’s playing time will likely trend back up to the usual 29–30 minutes he played last season. In that case, expect his production to be closer to 13.8 points and 11.6 rebounds (his averages last year).
It seemed as if Beasley’s best days were behind him, but he’s actually having a renaissance of sorts this season. Averaging 11.2 points in the previous two seasons, Beasley is now putting up 16.3 a game on top of 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.7 steals through 46 games at 28 minutes an outing. He’s also shooting 41.3% from downtown—the second-best mark in his career so far—which means he’s probably going to see extended minutes moving forward. That’s especially true with Jaden Ivey sidelined for the season.
Low Cost, High-Value Picks: Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson
Harris has settled nicely into his role as a veteran role player. He’s helped guide these young Pistons all season long while putting up 12.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 31.9 minutes of action through 44 games. Don’t be surprised, too, if Harris plays more after the All-Star break to help Detroit make that playoff push.
Ausar is the less heralded of the Thompson twins, but it’s not because he’s not as talented as Amen. He’s equally as good but just hasn’t gotten the same playing time and opportunities in Detroit. Just look at the numbers he’s putting up in just 19.7 minutes: 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks. With Ivey out for the season, there’s a chance Ausar gets more chances the rest of the way.
