Detroit Pistons Predicted Finish, Key Acquisitions & Fantasy Stars

In the eighth of 30 NBA previews prior to the start of the season, we will take a look at the Detroit Pistons. In this preview, we will discuss Detroit’s key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.

Key Acquisitions

The Pistons will have three significant new acquisitions for the 2021-22 NBA regular season that are expected to be part of the starting five. They are power forward Bojan Bogdanovic of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, guard Alec Burks of Grandview, Missouri, and shooting guard Jaden Ivey of South Bend, Indiana.

On September 26, Bogdanovic was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Pistons for Canadian center Kelly Olynyk of Toronto, Ontario,  point guard Saben Lee of St. Louis, Missouri, and cash considerations. In 2021-22, Bogdanovic averaged 18.1 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. He also have a field goal percentage of .455, three-point percentage of .387, and a free throw percentage of .861.

On July 11, Burks was traded from the New York Knicks to the Pistons with Nerlens Noel, a second round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, a second round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and $6 million for Serbian guard prospect Nikola Radicevic and a second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. It should be noted that there are conditions surrounding the draft picks. Ivey meanwhile was the fifth overall draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Purdue.

Fantasy Stars

There are no Pistons ranked in the top 10 for their position in any position in fantasy basketball. However, 2021 first overall pick Cade Cunningham may be worth considering in the middle rounds. Last year at shooting guard, he averaged 17.4 points per game, 5.6 assists per game, and 5.5 rebounds per game. Cunningham also had a field goal percentage of .416, three point percentage of .314, and a free throw percentage of .845.

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Projected Finish

Both Joel and I agree that the Pistons have made enough strides to finish out of the basement in the Central Division. We both have them finishing fourth, ahead of the Indiana Pacers. However the Pistons are not expected to be in the top 10 teams in the conference and qualify for the play-in tournament.

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