2022-23 NBA Prediction: Can Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons Show Improvements This Season?

2022-23 NBA Prediction: Can Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons Show Improvements This Season?

You could make an argument that this is a homer pick as I’ve been a lifelong Detroit fan. I would disagree and say that I think I’m good at putting my personal bias to the side and if anything I choose to pick on the putrid teams in my city. However, I’m feeling optimistic here, and for good reason. Detroit basketball has not been what it once was in a LONG time. I am not saying that this team sniffs the Bad Boys or the Going To Work Pistons in 2004 but GM Troy Weaver has done a fantastic job of turning this franchise into one that is heading in the right direction.

This article isn’t about the direction of the franchise though, it’s about strictly this upcoming season and what I expect. We need 30 wins, it sounds intimidating because the Pistons only won 23 games last year. But here’s the thing, we only need a .365 win percentage. This is something Detroit hasn’t had in their past 3 seasons but with the recent acquisitions of veterans who can contribute right away, I find it to be very possible. Bojan Bogdanovic and Alex Burks will contribute much-needed three-point shooting with both shooting north of 38% to accompany the young and upcoming talent this roster has to offer.

I expect year two of Cade Cunningham to shock some people. Bad teams like Detroit don’t get the national media but since the all-star break, he averaged 21/6/6 on much more efficient shooting from the floor. Rookie Jaden Ivey should help give Detroit another offensive threat that couldn’t unleash out of Killian Hayes and Detroit should be able to be much more effective on the offensive side of the ball where they were abysmal last year. This is a year where teams want to tank for Wembenyana and it looks like the Pistons are willing to compete for a play-in spot instead of having another tank year. I expect plenty of teams to deal at the deadline and for the 2nd half of the season for Detroit to face off against teams starting G League players in hopes the ping pong balls go their way. Younger players like Cade, Saddiq, and Beef Stew had all offseason to better their games and we brought in some perfect complimentary pieces to help give the team some spacing. You could argue it’s a homer pick but 30 wins aren’t crazy and I’ll happily root for this all year!

2022-2023 NBA Future Prediction

• 1u - Pistons o29.5 Regular Season Wins (-115 @ Caesars) (Bet $115 to win $100)