Detroit Pistons 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Detroit Pistons finished a league-worst 14-68 last season, losing an NBA record 28 games in a row.

NBA futures odds are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including online sports betting odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Detroit Pistons Futures Odds

Win Total: 24.5

Central Division: +50000

Eastern Conference: +50000

NBA Championship: +100000

The Pistons’ NBA championship odds are in the basement of the league.

Their basketball betting odds of making the playoffs are +1500.

Detroit Pistons Offseason Moves

The Pistons added Tobias Harris on a two-year, $52 million deal.

Detroit hired J.B. Bickerstaff as their new head coach, replacing Monty Williams.

Detroit Pistons Additions

Detroit Pistons Departures

Detroit Pistons 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 24.5 Wins (-125)

I predict that the Pistons will finish over 24.5 wins.

Cade Cunningham is a strong midrange scorer who excels in pick-and-roll actions, as opposing defences tend to anticipate him driving to the rim.

Cunningham has a knack for analyzing defences and pulling up off the dribble accordingly. He’s also adept at keeping his opponents on his hip and creating space by bumping his defenders or going to a series of pump fakes.

Cunningham’s ability to manipulate defenders, throw lobs, pass the ball in motion, and make the right pass in a split second makes him one of the best playmakers in the league.

Looking back at Cade’s career-high to start #BESTofNBA week

🔥43 PTS
🔥7 AST
🔥3 STL
🔥16-24 FG pic.twitter.com/8kb2stpMjW

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) September 10, 2024

Cunningham didn’t finish at the rim as well for his size as the Pistons would’ve liked, but Detroit also lacked the 3-point shooting needed to space the floor, which allowed opposing defences to converge in the paint and make life more difficult for him.

With the Pistons adding Harris and Malik Beasley, that could open up more driving lanes and easier access for Cunningham to finish at the rim.

Jaden Ivey is a capable 3-point shooter, but he mostly excels when he gets downhill and finishes at the rim. For him to reach that next level, he needs to improve his percentages in the midrange and behind the arc.

Jalen Duren will be the man in the middle for Detroit for years to come, as he made strides as a finisher at the rim, rebounder, and rim protector in his second season in the league. 

Ausar Thompson proved he’s on his way to becoming an elite on-ball and wing defender, given his ability to stay in front of his opponents and force them into tough looks or errant passes.

Thompson is a strong finisher at the rim, especially off of feeds from Cunningham. If his 3-point shot and shot creation in the midrange improve, he could end up being a solid two-way star in the league.

Ron Holland II showcased a high motor, strong 3-point shot, ability to finish at the rim, and on-ball defence, generating a ton of points, steals, and blocks with the G-League Ignite last season. The Pistons will likely slowly bring the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft into the mix.

This season will ultimately be about player development in Detroit, as it’s hard to expect a team to make such a sudden turnaround a season after losing at a record rate.

However, I think Cunningham will progress enough to largely put aside the demons from last season. With the other young talent, coupled with the veterans the Pistons added this offseason and the hiring of Bickerstaff, who helped turn the Cleveland Cavaliers around in his five seasons with the team, it’s not far-fetched to think that the Pistons could nearly double their win total from last season.