Pistons GM Says Team Won't Be 'Super Aggressive' in 2025 NBA Free Agency, Trade Market
While the Detroit Pistons are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2019, it sounds like they won't be making major moves this offseason to leap into title contention next year.
General manager Trajan Langdon told reporters Tuesday that the Pistons "aren’t going to be super aggressive" in free agency or on the trade market this summer because they're focused on improving internally and in areas of need.
The Pistons finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record this season. That was 30-win turnaround from the previous year, when they had the worst record in franchise history at 14-68. Detroit's season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs with a loss to the New York Knicks in six games, but there's still optimism that the team is moving in a positive direction.
2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham put forth the best season of his young career with averages of 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists. He earned his first selection to the All-Star Game and All-NBA third-team honors. The 23-year-old is the franchise cornerstone whom the Pistons will need to build around to continue their ascent.
The East is expected to be wide-open next season with multiple perennial contenders projected to take a step back. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton all suffered Achilles injuries during the postseason, leaving their respective teams with murky outlooks for the 2025-26 campaign.
When asked about Detroit's newfound opportunity to make some noise next year, Langdon told reporters that the recent developments have "provoked thought," but they haven't changed the team's strategy of patience.
"I don’t think we want to be locked in and push our chips in… We want to keep that optionality… I think we will see growth from this year to next year and that’s what’s important for us," Langdon said.
