Some anonymous NBA executives are urging the Detroit Pistons to stay the course and not get ahead of themselves after a surprisingly strong season.
Although the Pistons were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, their progress was undeniable. After a dismal 14-win season the year before, Detroit made huge strides—tripling their win total and earning a direct playoff berth, bypassing the Play-In Tournament. In their matchup with the third-seeded New York Knicks, the young Pistons were competitive, with most of their losses decided by just a few points.
Their growth hasn’t gone unnoticed, but according to The Ringer, one league executive cautioned against rushing the rebuild. “The top priority for Detroit’s front office,” the exec said, “is to make sure owner Tom Gores doesn’t think they’re already title contenders. If they rush things, they risk making short-sighted decisions—like Atlanta.”
The comparison refers to the Atlanta Hawks, who made a surprising playoff run in 2021, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Encouraged by their success, the Hawks began making big moves, but the momentum didn’t last. Since then, they’ve suffered two first-round playoff exits and have now missed the postseason two years in a row, facing questions about another rebuild.
The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham, have potential—but it’s not a given that they’ll continue on an upward path. The warning is clear: don’t let short-term success derail the long-term plan. Build slowly, preserve team chemistry, and avoid peaking too early like Atlanta did.
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