The Detroit Pistons are reviewing their offseason moves as they prepare to open preseason play against the Phoenix Suns.
The Pistons said goodbye to four veterans this summer. Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart departed from the frontcourt, while Marcus Sasser and Caris LeVert left the backcourt. Harris was a constant starter and Stewart anchored the defense in the paint. Their absence creates clear gaps. Sasser and LeVert, however, had inconsistent tenures and the team moved on to seek upgrades at the guard spots.
Detroit was active in both the draft and trade market. They moved up to select Stanford point guard Ebuka Okorie, the ACC's leading scorer as a freshman. In the second round, they picked Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso, a seven-foot shot-blocking presence. Through trades, the Pistons targeted shooting. John Collins is expected to step into the starting power forward role, providing a high-flying option for Cade Cunningham.
The team also acquired shooters Isaiah Joe and Taurean Prince. Both players shot 40% from three-point range last season and will bolster the perimeter attack. Another under-the-radar move was picking up Elijah Harkless. He split time between the NBA and G-League last year, showing tenacious defense and occasional explosive scoring, fitting the Pistons' hard-nosed identity.
Keeping core young talent was a priority. The Pistons secured Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson with new contracts this offseason. Thompson signed his rookie scale extension, locking in a key piece of the team's future. Retaining these foundational players provides stability as new pieces are integrated.
The offseason work follows a hard-fought playoff exit. That series highlighted areas for improvement, which the front office addressed by adding shooting and defensive depth. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page as the new season approaches.
