Post-NBA Draft, Bet on Pistons to Exceed Expectations in 2022

Detroit rocked the NBA Draft Thursday night, netting two future NBA stars in the same class: Purdue standout guard Jaden Ivey (the next Ja Morant? Maybe.) and Memphis stud center Jalen Duren, whom the Knicks will regret trading.

Shocking.

A-plus for the Pistons.

OK, look, Detroit was 23-59 last season, so you know, terrible.    

But they’ve cleared salary cap space by taking on Kemba Walker’s contract in the deal with New York and they will absolutely sign a big name in free agency.

Reports that their main target was Suns center Deandre Ayton have since cooled, with the thought being that the Pistons have landed their center for the future in Duren.

Not sure I’m fully buying that. Ayton will be intrigued by playing with a dynamic young group (and don’t forget that he’s still just 23; turns 24 in July) that includes Cade Cunningham (last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, who shined down the stretch), Isaiah Stewart (great stats: PER) and Saddiq Bey (same).

Sure they traded away leading scorer Jerami Grant to Portland, which normally would be significant, but this team, to me, already looks better.

Detroit was 23-59 last season, which is terrible. But I’m betting that this squad makes at least a 10-game leap and likely makes the playoffs.

All of which leads to this: Whenever all of the signings are done deals and sportsbooks like these Michigan Online Casinos have finalized their NBA over/under season win totals … Take Detroit and the OVER, no matter what it is.

You can thank me and buy me a Detroit-style brick oven pizza next year.

Cheers.