New-Look Detroit Pistons Still Expected To Be At NBA’s Bottom In 2021

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Written By Matt Schoch on December 17, 2020Last Updated on April 26, 2024
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After languishing for over ten years, the Detroit Pistons underwent a significant transformation this offseason, revitalizing their struggling franchise.

The new general manager, Troy Weaver, aims to revive the former glory of Detroit basketball by adopting a nostalgic approach. He is determined to give the franchise a retro makeover, taking inspiration from the illustrious history of the team.

Even the most hopeful supporter of the Pistons would acknowledge that it will most likely demand additional patience, a quality in short supply in a weary sports community weary of enduring losing seasons.

An online launch is anticipated in mid-January, providing some entertainment relief through legal sports betting. Additionally, sports betting is available at 19 Michigan casinos, with the exception of the closed Detroit ones, which are expected to reopen at least next week.

Unfortunately, online betting will not be available in time for the season opener at Minnesota on Wednesday. However, there will be numerous opportunities to place bets on Detroit basketball as the highly anticipated rebuild finally unfolds.

Detroit Pistons futures odds

The odds provided below were last updated on December 17th at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Detroit Pistons Futures DraftKings FanDuel BetMGM William Hill PointsBet
NBA Championship +50000 +24000 +50000 +40000 +40000
Eastern Conference title +25000 +10000 +25000 +15000 +15000
Total Wins 32.5%* 23.5 23.5 23 23.5

Please note that DraftKings establishes win percentage totals instead of a specific number of total wins.

Pistons glory days seem like a distant memory

The Pistons, although potentially unfamiliar to younger fans, hold a significant place in the league’s history as one of the most accomplished non-coastal franchises.

The team boasts two championship eras, beginning with the Bad Boys who dominated the league by securing consecutive championships. However, their reign came to an end in 1991 when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls emerged victorious.

The Going to Work-era Pistons, known for the absence of superstars and the lack of Hall of Fame players, achieved great success by winning the 2004 championship and making it to six consecutive conference finals during their run.

Those days have long since passed.

Since 2008, Detroit has been unable to secure a playoff victory, resulting in a staggering 14-game losing streak, which is the longest in the NBA.

One of the most respected front offices in the league, Oklahoma City, brought Weaver to Detroit this offseason.

Troy Weaver drastically re-made roster in short order

Under the coaching of Dwane Casey, the Pistons ended last season with a record of 20-46 and did not come close to earning a spot in the league’s Orlando bubble.

However, the expectations for significant changes this offseason were relatively modest.

It was anticipated that Detroit would incorporate the No. 7 selection into its existing group of promising young players, comprising Bruce Brown, Sekou Doumbouya, and Luke Kennard.

This offseason, the team has several options to consider. They have the opportunity to trade Derrick Rose, allow star player Blake Griffin’s contract to expire, and strategically make smaller adjustments to their roster. The most significant decision they will face is regarding the free agency of Christian Wood.

Weaver had different plans.

In an effort to revamp the team, the rookie GM made some bold moves. He traded Brown and Kennard, opting for additional draft picks while acquiring players who embodied the traditional Pistons spirit. Furthermore, he successfully completed a sign and trade, allowing Wood to depart.

To everyone’s astonishment, Weaver utilized available funds to successfully secure the signings of Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee from Denver, amounting to an impressive $85 million over a span of three years.

It was both shocking and bold.

Only time will reveal if it was a wise decision.

Oddsmakers believe Pistons will still be in the NBA Draft lottery

It is unfair to solely evaluate Weaver’s decisions based on this season alone. However, unlike numerous contemporary front-office executives who delay significant choices, Weaver deserves admiration for promptly taking risks and putting his reputation at stake.

No matter what, the Pistons are highly likely to remain a lottery team, having a higher probability of securing the first pick in the upcoming NBA Draft rather than qualifying for the 2021 playoffs.

On the other hand, the newly implemented playoff format offers a ray of hope for fans yearning for consistently thrilling basketball throughout the season. Under this format, teams ranked seventh to tenth in each conference now have the opportunity to participate in a play-in tournament, effectively enlarging the pool of contenders.

FanDuel Sportsbook has set the Pistons’ odds of qualifying for the play-in tournament at +360.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Pistons have a +800 likelihood of securing a playoff spot (following the play-in tournament), while their chances of missing the field are significantly higher at -1430 odds.

Any chance for a Cinderella Pistons’ run? It’s… a longshot

The Pistons are considered highly unlikely to win the league’s major prizes, and this is justified.

In order to achieve a favorable win-loss record, it is crucial for Rose and Griffin to maintain their physical well-being, while simultaneously expecting significant contributions from role players such as Grant and Plumlee. Additionally, the rookies, particularly Killian Hayes, must display outstanding performances right from the start.

According to PointsBet Sportsbook, the Pistons have odds of +40000 to win the NBA title, which is the same as New York and Charlotte, placing them in the third position for the longest odds. Cleveland and Oklahoma City, however, hold the longest odds at +50000.

William Hill Sportsbook offers odds of +40000 for the title, which is also the same for the Eastern Conference, alongside Cleveland, New York, and Charlotte, who share the longest odds of +15000.

Win totals: What will the Detroit Pistons’ record look like?

DraftKings has established over/under winning percentages for every NBA team during the regular season, with the Pistons’ set at 32.5%. In order for the bet to be evaluated, a minimum of 60 games must be played, excluding the play-in games.

If Detroit completes the full 72 games scheduled for this season, a record of 23-49 would fall below expectations, whereas a record of 24-48 would exceed them.

In order for the bet to be considered valid, FanDuel requires a minimum of 70 games to be played. Detroit’s win total is established at 23.5.

The only teams with lower over/unders than Cleveland (22.5), New York (21.5), and Oklahoma City (20.5) are Cleveland (22.5), New York (21.5), and Oklahoma City (20.5).

This season, Pistons fans will undoubtedly keep a close watch on some of the highly anticipated top draft prospects for next year. Among them are Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State, Jalen Suggs from Gonzaga, and Evan Mobley from USC.

As the tipoff draws near, it seems like we’re in for another season of the Detroit Pistons, a team that is still a work-in-progress.

Please rewrite the sentence or provide more context for me to rewrite.

Can you please rewrite the following sentence? <br><br>”I am excited about the new job opportunity.”