Category: Deportes

The Detroit Pistons and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff have some options if they want to improve the offense next season.

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Inside the University of Miami practice gym last month, adjustments were brewing that could turn the Detroit Pistons into title contenders.

Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson, two of the Pistons’ pillars, fine-tuned the chemistry they’ve built over their three seasons together. New veteran Taurean Prince accompanied them in pickup games against Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cam Boozer, Thompson’s twin brother, Amen, Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell and others.

Cunningham and Thompson took turns attacking defenders and sharpening their offensive skills. They will each play a vital role in any success Detroit is looking to build on this coming season, just in different ways. Beginning with Cunningham, more off-ball looks would benefit his offensive attack individually and the Pistons as a whole.

As valuable as Cunningham is with the ball in his hands, one facet of his game has out of necessity gone largely unexplored: his ability to score as an off-ball threat. Cunningham shot 48.8 percent from 3-point range on 41 catch-and-shoot attempts during the postseason, while shooting 75 percent from distance on one dribble and 50 percent on two dribbles.

The one- and two-dribble sample size is much smaller, with Cunningham only attempting eight and 10, respectively. But his most recent playoff performance, with the added physicality the postseason presents, could be a reason to explore more consistent actions for Cunningham to score without being the point of attack.

He’s shown a willingness to let others initiate offense, whether it be Thompson or Daniss Jenkins. Isaiah Joe (42.3 percent), John Collins (40.6), Prince (43.6) and even Gary Harris (41.2) — all new offseason acquisitions — shot at least 40 percent from beyond the arc last season. Detroit’s roster this season could be the best 3-point shooting roster assembled around Cunningham.

Though it is a tall task to rival the shooting of the 2024-25 team, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the Pistons.

Especially if coach J.B. Bickerstaff can get creative enough with his schemes to marry enough on- and off-ball looks for Cunningham to be aggressive. Cunningham is one of the most gifted players in the association when ball-dominant, and they shouldn’t take too many of those opportunities off the table for him.

But the upside of occasionally freeing Cunningham to come off pindowns rather than such a pick-and-roll-heavy offense could have a trickle-down effect. Not only could Cunningham conserve energy for the game’s waning moments, but he could use his gravity to generate open looks for the aforementioned shooters and put someone like a Thompson into a more prominent role as a ballhandler.

“Teams decide they want to pick Cade up full court, and sometimes because of the gravity he holds, people just hug up on him,” Bickerstaff said in October last year. “You can play advantage situations off of him, but now (if he isn’t initiating offense) his defender has to play off a screen or off a shift.

“It just makes (Cunningham) a better player when people can’t get their hands on him, wrestle and hold him.”

Thompson showed signs of being an effective wing initiator in spurts last season. His career-best 15.5 assist percentage ranked in the 73rd percentile for wings. The 23-year-old harnesses the physical tools to make it happen, from his 7-foot wingspan to the speed and fast-twitch muscles that should make him difficult to stay in front of.

“We want to put the ball in (Thompson’s) hands more,” Bickerstaff said. “And then getting Cade off the ball just brings another dynamic to our offense. As we continue to grow the foundation of our offense and our systems on both sides of the ball, we’ll always look to add different things that can make us better.”

Cunningham’s younger counterpart could prove as crucial as anyone in the locker room in aiding his development as an off-ball scorer.

The off-ball actions Cunningham thrived in most in the playoffs were plain spot-up shots and shots coming without a dribble from handoffs. He was good for 1.41 points per possession in those situations, which ranked in the 96.6th percentile of all players and was the highest of any player to play in at least 10 games last postseason. Cunningham then produced 1.30 points per possession as a spot-up shooter, ranking in the 84th percentile.

Compare those statistics to Cunningham’s 0.87 points per possession as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls and 0.76 points per possession in isolation, and it’s fair to want an uptick in off-ball plays for him.

“It’s good to mix it up. It’s good to be on the ball, off the ball to give different looks,” Cunningham said in October when asked about Thompson having more ball-handling responsibilities. “I think it’s good for the group, as far as me and (Thompson), to allow us to really put our energy out there on the line. So picking our spots and going back and forth is good for both of us.

“And (Thompson) is a guy that can initiate offense at a high level, so just giving him room to get more and more comfortable with it.”

A right-ankle sprain 10 games into the regular season seemingly derailed Thompson from blossoming into the facilitator Cunningham and Bickerstaff had envisioned. Thompson averaged 13.9 points and 3.4 assists per game during his first 10 outings and was far more featured offensively than he was throughout the remainder of the season.

Bickerstaff and Detroit president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon both publicly expressed at end-of-season news conferences their desire for Thompson to take a leap offensively.

And Thompson has already spent several hours training with Cunningham this summer. If the next evolution of Cunningham’s game includes more off-ball looks, coupled with a high volume of ball dominance, and if Thompson can continue making strides as an offensive initiator — that could provide the kind of internal growth that molds the Pistons into a legitimate title contender.

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Hunter Patterson is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Pistons. Before joining the NBA staff, Hunter was an editor on The Athletic’s news desk and provided occasional Sacramento Kings coverage. Prior to The Athletic, he worked for the NBA as a broadcasting assistant. Hunter graduated from Loyola Marymount University and earned his master’s degree in Specialized Journalism at the University of Southern California. You can follow Hunter on X @HunterPatterson.

Atlantic Division

Celtics | Nets | Knicks | 76ers | Raptors

Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum is set for his first full season since suffering an Achilles injury – without Jaylen Brown, who was traded to Philadelphia.

With an injured Jayson Tatum on the mend for all but the last few weeks of the regular season, the Celtics used an MVP-level effort from Brown to go 56-26 – before faltering in the first round of the postseason.

Offseason Moves

• Additions: F Chris Cenac Jr., G Mike Conley, F Paul George, F Dillon Mitchell, C Mitchell Robinson

• Subtractions: F Dalano Banton, F Jaylen Brown, G Max Shulga, C Nikola Vučević

2026-27 season outlook

Therefore, much will fall on the shoulders of Tatum, who’s very likely qualified to do plenty of heavy lifting if necessary. If Boston gets that and a bounce-back from George and Derrick White, a return to the postseason seems realistic.

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Brooklyn Nets

Mikel Brown Jr. was selected No. 6 by the Nets in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The Nets shoveled minutes to a nucleus of young players and the result was predictable, as they finished 20-62, fifth in the Atlantic Division.

Offseason Moves

• Additions: F Tyler Bilodeau, G Mikel Brown Jr., G Keon Ellis, F Joshua Jefferson, F Julius Randle, C Moritz Wagner

• Subtractions: G Ochai Agbaji, C Nic Claxton, G Malachi Smith, F Ziaire Williams, F Jalen Wilson

2026-27 season outlook

A year ago, the Nets kept and used all five of their first-round draft picks. This summer, Brooklyn chose to give overworked forward Michael Porter Jr. some immediate help instead. It resulted in a trade for Randle, a former All-NBA player who is no stranger to New York; some of his best years were spent with the Knicks.

Brown Jr. was taken at No. 6 and brings solid combo guard skills from his college days at Louisville. He has a decent chance to earn front-end rotational minutes right away; such is the benefit of joining a team in transition. An additional first-rounder arrived in the Randle trade and the Nets used that pick, No. 28 overall, on Jefferson.

The Nets are hoping for an improved season if only because this draft-happy team doesn’t control its No. 1 pick next season; the Rockets hold swap rights.

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Championship over the San Antonio Spurs.

A 53-year dry spell ended in the Knick of time as New York finally held a basketball parade after a 53-29 record and an NBA championship.

Offseason Moves

• Additions: C Andre Drummond, F Tyler Nickel

• Subtractions: C Ariel Hukporti, C Mitchell Robinson, F Jeremy Sochan

2026-27 season outlook

After five decades, it’s safe to say the Knicks have not only brought themselves some goodwill, but also some time, even in a demanding city such as New York.

Which is to say, there’s no pressure on the Knicks to repeat as champions. But the talent and desire are there anyway. And that goes even without Robinson, the biggest departure from the championship team. As is the case in these situations, not everyone gets paid, and Robinson went to Boston for his next check.

As insurance, the Knicks added Drummond, still a solid rebounder, to back up Karl-Anthony Towns. And that was the extent of the Knicks’ offseason.

Anyway, with Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and, of course, 2026 Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, the Knicks will flex more than enough credibility in their quest to make the next championship wait in New York measured by months, not years.

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Philadelphia 76ers

Jaylen Brown is looking to make a great impact in the Philadelphia Community.

Another injury-plagued stretch by Joel Embiid pumped the brakes on championship contention, yet the Sixers managed to finish 45-37 and advance to the conference semifinals.

Offseason Moves

• Additions: F Jaylen Brown, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F Ariel Hukporti, F LeBron James, G Labaron Philon Jr., G Anfernee Simons, F Dean Wade

• Subtractions: F Johni Broome, C Andre Drummond, F Paul George, G Quentin Grimes, G Kyle Lowry, F Kelly Oubre Jr., F Dalen Terry, G-F Trendon Watford

2026-27 season outlook

Whether the results of the Sixers’ season will match the expectations entering remains to be seen. Until then, the Sixers will be a most intriguing and watched team, and that would’ve been true even if their offseason addition was restricted to former rival Brown.

But by signing with Philly over other possible destinations, LeBron sent the interest in the Sixers through the roof.

Brown and LeBron join Embiid, a former MVP, All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey and All-Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe to give Philly arguably the best starting five in the league. If LeBron’s age and Embiid’s health cooperate, the Sixers could be poised to celebrate their first title since 1983.

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Toronto Raptors

After a successful rookie season, Collin Murray-Boyles hopes to take his game to the next level.

The Raptors grabbed the East’s No. 5 seed and went to a Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs.

Offseason moves

• Additions: F Kyle Anderson, G Jaden Bradley, F Allen Graves

• Subtractions: G A.J. Lawson, F Sandro Mamukelashvili, F Jonathan Mogbo, G Garrett Temple

2026-27 season outlook

There aren’t many teams more well-rounded offensively than the Raptors, who have three and on some nights four players capable of scoring 20 points while bringing a handful of decent defenders as well.

This will benefit the Raptors as they attempt to navigate an improved East, where an array of returning playoff teams made moves to improve.

As for the Raptors, the hope is for improvement from within, and the signs are positive. It starts with Collin Murray-Boyles, who developed gradually in his rookie season and played better than expected in the postseason. He has good post moves and a touch around the rim. Also, guards Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead are seemingly on that trajectory as well.

This is a great sign for a club attempting to build around Scottie Barnes. With Barnes, RJ Barrett and an emerging supporting cast, the Raptors are well-armed to make a postseason return.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.