Are Pistons on right track to rebuild franchise?

Cade Cunningham.

The Detroit Pistons aren’t a team known for making positive headlines of late. But over the weekend, leading up to the start of free agency on Sunday, they announced two big signings who they hope will propel them to success.

Detroit hired former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach B.J. Bickerstaff to a reported five-year deal. Then they locked up former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, agreeing to a five-year, $226 million extension.

Planning for the future is where the Pistons are and they’ve gotten off on the right foot this offseason.

After Bickerstaff was surprisingly shown the door by Cleveland, Detroit swooped in for the save. In four full seasons in Cleveland, Bickerstaff led the Cavs to three consecutive winning seasons including playoff appearances in the last two years.

"Someone with a new approach, someone with a different voice, a fresh set of eyes to help us move forward… We've accomplished a lot in the last few years, getting to a conference semifinal, and we don't want to be complacent. "We feel we're not far off." – Cavs GM Koby Altman’s explanation on Bickerstaff’s firing

In this case, the Cavs fumbled, and the Pistons recovered. How far they take the return is yet to be seen. The Pistons brought in a coach they felt would be a better fit for their young core than former coach Monty Williams. Detroit and Williams recently parted ways after a season everyone would like to forget.

Now with Bickerstaff in the fold and Cunningham locked up long-term, it’s time for the Pistons front office to make some strategic moves in free agency. They’ll need to put more pieces around Cunningham. Center Jalen Duren seems like he could be a force moving forward. Duren averaged a double-double this season, only his second in the NBA.

With plenty of cap space, the Pistons are hoping to lure some key pieces who can be slotted right into Bickerstaff’s rotation. Tobias Harris may have worn out his welcome in Philadelphia, but in Detroit, he’d be welcomed with open arms. The Pistons are reportedly interested in acquiring Harris’ services.

Klay Thompson’s name has been thrown around relating to the Pistons should his time with Golden State be done. While nothing is concrete, Detroit has $50 million in cap space so that might not be completely out of the question.

Despite the narrative of Thompson's decline for the Warriors, he still averaged 17.9 ppg and shot 38.7 percent from three-point range. It was a down year by his usual standard, but the Pistons would likely take that along with his championship pedigree.

While Harris and Thompson are in their 30s, either or both could come in and help a young team that was fourth-worst in scoring this past season. Even if the Pistons sign neither player, bringing in a couple of veterans to mix with the young talent on the roster isn’t a bad idea.

There are plenty of needs in Detroit so just bringing in competent players who know how to be pros and can contribute is a good starting point. The No. 1 goal for next season should be to not have the worst record in the league for a third consecutive season.

Thus far, based on their signings over the weekend, a front office led by former Duke University sharpshooter Trajan Langdon is serious about getting this organization back on track. What happens over the next week will say a lot about how prepared they are to make a transition.

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