DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons had an outstanding 2025-26 season, marking their best campaign in nearly 20 years. They won 60 regular-season games and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2008.
The Pistons' success last season prompted a major roster overhaul to improve the team's mediocre offense with better floor spacing and 3-point shooting. This led to the departures of Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser and Isaiah Stewart — four players who, in various ways, were crucial to the Pistons' impressive 60-win season.
With coach J.B. Bickerstaff returning for his third season, the Pistons are entering the 2026-27 campaign with lofty expectations. Here's a player-by-player breakdown of the roster.
Guards
Cade Cunningham
▶ Age: 25
▶ Height: 6-6
▶ Weight: 220
▶ Analysis: Cade Cunningham will be a serious MVP candidate for the second consecutive year. With the team's improved floor spacing and more fast-break options, Cunningham could lead the league in assists this year. That's even more evident because Cunningham has increased his assist numbers in each of the previous five years. Last season, he finished with a career-best 9.9 assists per game, trailing only Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokić, who led the league with 10.7.
Javonte Green
▶ Age: 33
▶ Height: 6-5
▶ Weight: 205
▶ Analysis: In his first season with the Pistons, Javonte Green became one of Detroit's most prominent reserve players. In 82 games, he averaged 6.9 points on 38.1% shooting from beyond the arc and 1.2 steals per game while playing 17.6 minutes. Green has established himself as one of the Pistons' most versatile players and was expected to continue in that role this season. However, as Bickerstaff tested different lineups in the final two preseason games, Green may start the season outside the rotation due to his limited playing time. During the final two preseason games, Green averaged 7.6 minutes.
Kevin Huerter
▶ Age: 28
▶ Height: 6-6
▶ Weight: 198
▶ Analysis: Entering his first full season with the Pistons, Bickerstaff expressed during training camp that Kevin Huerter is more comfortable and better understands his role. Under those circumstances, Huerter is on track to sustain the production he showed in the final 12 games of last season, when he averaged 12.4 points on 40.0% shooting from the 3-point line, while also showcasing that he is more than a shooting specialist with his defensive efforts.
Daniss Jenkins
▶ Age: 25
▶ Height: 6-4
▶ Weight: 165
▶ Analysis: Daniss Jenkins had one of the league's most compelling breakout seasons last year, going from a two-way prospect to an undrafted player on a standard deal. Jenkins enters his third season in the most crucial role of his career. He will be Cunningham's primary backup, keeping the offense running smoothly as a key ball-handler and contributing to the team's perimeter scoring. If Jenkins improves his ability to finish at the rim and sharpens his defense, he could become a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate this season.
Isaiah Joe
▶ Age: 27
▶ Height: 6-4
▶ Weight: 165
▶ Analysis: Of all the shooters the Pistons acquired this offseason, Isaiah Joe has the potential to be the most important. Since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2020 (Philadelphia 76ers), Joe has become one of the league's most respected 3-point shooters, shooting 40.6% from beyond the arc. His best shooting attribute is his catch-and-shoot ability, where he shot 43.1% last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Chaz Lanier
▶ Age: 24
▶ Height: 6-3
▶ Weight: 206
▶ Analysis: Chaz Lanier is eager to secure more playing time in his second season. However, given the Pistons' guard depth, Lanier could spend most of his sophomore year going back and forth between the NBA and the G League. When given the chance, Lanier has shown he can make a strong impact at the NBA level. His 3-point shooting can improve the team's floor spacing, and over four preseason games, Lanier showed potential to become a more well-rounded player, especially on defense.
Ebuka Okorie
▶ Age: 19
▶ Height: 6-2
▶ Weight: 186
▶ Analysis: Ebuka Okorie is entering his rookie year in a great position. He is a mid-first-round pick joining a team with strong guard depth. Entering training camp, it seemed Okorie wouldn't get much playing time in his first season. However, based on his preseason performance, where he averaged 10.3 points, Okorie has made it hard for Bickerstaff to avoid giving the rookie guard a role. At the very least, Okorie has proven he can fill a role similar to Marcus Sasser — a versatile combo guard whose playing time will vary but can boost the team's performance on any given night.
Forwards
John Collins
▶ Age: 29
▶ Height: 6-9
▶ Weight: 220
▶ Analysis: John Collins could be Detroit's most important acquisition of the summer. Collins isn't just another floor spacer; he can also be a solid three-level scorer and give the Pistons' ball-handlers an extra screener in pick-and-roll play. Collins will also help the Pistons maintain their defensive identity due to his rim protection and ability to guard positions three through five.
Ron Holland II
▶ Age: 21
▶ Height: 6-8
▶ Weight: 206
▶ Analysis: Ron Holland II will continue to bring the high energy that has made him one of the Pistons' most productive bench players over the past two seasons. He is set to maintain the same role as he enters his third year. However, Holland must start applying what he's learned and show how his game has developed. This is crucial to remain a key part of the Pistons' future core as he enters the first of his final two years on his rookie contract.
Isaac Jones
▶ Age: 26
▶ Height: 6-8
▶ Weight: 245
▶ Analysis: Isaac Jones is entering his second year as a two-way prospect. Due to his solid all-around performance in the Summer League tournament and preseason, Jones is one reason Bickerstaff is confident in his two-way prospects if he needs to call on them during the regular season.
Taurean Prince
▶ Age: 32
▶ Height: 6-6
▶ Weight: 218
▶ Analysis: Taurean Prince may not have a large role this season, but the veteran wing won't be kept from making an impact because of the leadership he provides. However, whenever Bickerstaff calls his number, Prince has shown in the preseason that he can remain a productive 3-and-D player.
Duncan Robinson
▶ Age: 32
▶ Height: 6-7
▶ Weight: 215
▶ Analysis: The Pistons spent much of the offseason adding a handful of players who can help the team's subpar 3-point shooting. However, Robinson showed during the preseason that he remains the Pistons' best shooter from behind the arc, shooting a team-best 55.6% while averaging 11.3 points per game.
Ausar Thompson
▶ Age: 23
▶ Height: 6-7
▶ Weight: 205
▶ Analysis: Ausar Thompson spent the entire summer improving his shooting and ball-handling skills. After four preseason games, he appears poised to become a significantly improved offensive player, capable of contributing in both ball-handling and scoring. Thompson's biggest impact will likely come on defense as he enters his fourth season, where he could establish himself as arguably the league's top perimeter defender. He is building on a career year during which he led the league in steals, averaging 2.0 takeaways per game, and finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Bigs
Jalen Duren
▶ Age: 22
▶ Height: 6-10
▶ Weight: 250
▶ Analysis: Jalen Duren joined training camp late because negotiations stalled, ultimately signing a five-year, $200 million deal. The missed time meant he appeared in two of Detroit's four preseason games; however, it was enough for Duren to show he is on the verge of building on last season's career year. In two exhibition games, he averaged 19.0 points on 77.8% shooting from the field. Duren showed increased speed and explosiveness on offense. He also exhibited improved footwork, which will enhance his one-on-one scoring in the post.
Paul Reed
▶ Age: 27
▶ Height: 6-9
▶ Weight: 210
▶ Analysis: Last season, Reed was always ready to provide a spark whenever he was needed at center. He had his biggest impact during the Pistons' run to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Over nine playoff games, he improved the team's offense and defense and became the Pistons' most productive big man. Reed's strong playoff play made Isaiah Stewart expendable, letting Reed carve out the biggest role of his career as the team's second-string center as he enters his third year in Detroit.
Tolu Smith III
▶ Age: 26
▶ Height: 6-11
▶ Weight: 245
▶ Analysis: Tolu Smith III is entering his third season, and the 2026-27 campaign will be his first under Bickerstaff's rotation. He will take on the role Reed held for the past two years — a third-string center who can contribute to the team's performance while embodying the "stay ready" mentality. Smith will have modest offensive production, but next season his primary contributions will come from defense and rebounding.
Ugonna Onyenso
▶ Age: 22
▶ Height: 7-0
▶ Weight: 236
▶ Analysis: As a second-round pick, Ugonna Onyenso will focus on developing his skills during his rookie year with the Motor City Cruise. After playing only one preseason game, it's clear that while Onyenso enters the league as a strong defender, he will need to make significant improvements in his offense and overall speed.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Meet the 2026-27 Pistons: A player-by-player breakdown