Indiana Pacers: Power ranking the Central Division as free agency winds down

Ranking the Indiana Pacers in the Central Division: No. 4 – Detroit Pistons

Seizing the grand price in last season’s intense tanking game, the Detroit Pistons enter the season as the darlings of curious eyes, primarily due to the justified clout that first overall pick Cade Cunningham warrants as one of the game’s premiere up-and-comers.

After willingly embracing the bottom feeder role in the last campaign, the Motor City now has the pieces required to make a playoff push in the East. However, the logical move is to consider this season as the proverbial asset collection campaign, subtly tanking to augment their already-solid young core.

Still, opponents cannot chalk up games against Detroit next season as certain wins. Aside from Cunningham, the Pistons have Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes and Kelly Olynyk. They won’t be the favorites in most matchups, but winning against them will require a trek, instead of a jog as in the previous campaign.

Ultimately, Detroit is clearly on the win-later panel of the NBA, especially after securing a centerpiece in Cunningham and the East still lorded by scary powerhouses at the top. However, unlike most teams in the league, even those who are in playoff position, the Pistons now have a more inspiring future to boot this time around.