Photo courtesy of detroitbadboys.com

The Detroit Pistons have one of the most promising young cores in the NBA.

It all starts with future NBA All-Star Cade Cunningham, the franchise player the Pistons took first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Cunningham is ready to come back better than ever after being at a standstill last season because of a shin injury. He will lead the team’s offense and be the person the team can count on to make winning plays.

General manager Troy Weaver has nothing but good things to say about Cunningham going into the season. Luckily for Pistons fans, there is a lot of reason to be thrilled for his return; the comeback is going to be top-tier. He is the key to the successful rebuild of the Detroit Pistons.

From there on, the Pistons landed electric guard Jaden Ivey as the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and Jalen Duren as the 13th pick in the draft — a player who will be on the All-Defensive Team at some point in the future. With this duo, fans can only imagine just how much they will exceed everyone’s expectations in year two.

Weaver was cooking up a lot this offseason, too, as he continues the process of restoring the Pistons. He welcomed one of the team’s newest members, Ausar Thompson. Thompson was drafted as the fifth pick in this year’s draft.

He is one of the best athletes in the 2023 class (right alongside his twin brother, Amen Thompson, who was drafted by the Houston Rockets). Ausar Thompson showed out in the 2K24 Summer League, displaying such a high skill level at just 20 years old. It didn’t take him long to adapt to the NBA.

He made it look rather easy, and to be able to do that at such a young age is very impressive. The savvy wing player can do it all and has the complete package — high IQ, strength and quickness.

His stellar defense turns into instant offense, and he has all the capabilities of being one of the best small forwards in the game.

Weaver continued to make some genius moves this year with the addition of Marcus Sasser to the Pistons’ core. He was an offensive engine at the Summer League as well, dropping 40 points, the most by any player in the 2023 NBA Summer League.

The elite shotmaker has a lot in his bag. Sasser was one of the most explosive scorers in college basketball as a senior with the Houston Cougars.

Now, at the next level, he has brought that same intensity. It is always so assuring to know he’s someone who can easily put on a clinic, attacking big guys and finishing through NBA-level contact, and can succeed at his role in all areas of the game.

The Detroit Pistons have a lot of potential and are getting busy with their goals to take the franchise to new heights. This year, fans can count on the fact they will be much improved.