Pistons President Trajan Langdon Hints at Bold Moves to Elevate Young Core—What’s Next for Detroit?

That young core is led by Cunningham, who had his big breakout last season, but includes a lot of quality players: Jalen Duran (a potential All-Star big man), Jaden Ivey (who was having his own breakout season averaging 17.6 points a game until a broken left fibula ended his season on Jan. 1), Ron Holland (who looked ready for a bigger role at Summer League), Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser.

“I don’t think we truly understand who our players can be at this point. I just think it’s too early for us to truly understand what the best way to press the proverbial gas pedal is right now. So, we’re gonna try to be patient with that and let our young guys continue to develop.”Detroit’s latest season was nothing short of electrifying—a 44-win breakout that sent ripples through the NBA landscape . Cade Cunningham didn’t just swipe an All-Star nod; he cemented himself as an All-NBA force, while the Pistons’ young talent soaked up invaluable playoff intensity against the Knicks. Yet, amid the chatter about packaging pieces to snag another star, the front office wasn’t biting. Trajan Langdon, the team’s president of basketball operations, made it crystal clear: patience is the name of the game . The goal? Let this promising crew stretch their wings and climb toward their ultimate potential before deciding when to hit the accelerator. Leading the charge is Cunningham, flanked by standout youngsters Jalen Duran, Jaden Ivey (if only his season-ending injury hadn’t struck), Ron Holland, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, and Marcus Sasser — a lineup brimming with promise. The only notable shuffle? Sixth man Malik Beasley stepping out amid controversy, replaced by Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson. So here’s the million-dollar question: with key rivals like Boston and Indiana hobbling through injury woes, can Detroit take another giant leap forward? The path isn’t straight, and growth rarely is. But the spotlight’s swinging to this vibrant core, and Langdon’s given them the green light to prove their mettle. LEARN MOREWhatever happens, it will be on the Pistons’ young core to make it happen. Langden is giving them their shot.
In what is considered a down year in the East due to key injuries in Boston and Indiana, can Detroit make another leap up the standings? Is this young core ready for that? The opportunity is there, but the growth of a team is not always as linear as we fans would like it to be. Detroit is coming off a breakout season: 44 wins and a top-six seed, Cade Cunningham becoming not just an All-Star but an All-NBA player, and then the team’s young core gaining some serious playoff experience against the Knicks in the first round.

The one big change in Detroit will be sixth man Malik Beasley, who has not been re-signed (in the wake of a federal gambling investigation) and is replaced by Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson. That left some pundits suggesting consolidation trades — using some of that young core to trade for another star to pair with Cunningham, who could vault the team up the standings even further. That was never the plan inside the building, with Piston’s president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon telling The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson the plan is to stick with the young core.“We want to see what those guys’ ceilings are. It’s continuing to put players with them that can continue to help them grow, develop and reach their potential. That’s one thing we try to be as cognizant as possible of, which is something at times that can be challenging. Of course, you want to continue to get better, but we’re very aware of what the timing of that is. We want our guys to continue to develop and at least get close to their ceiling or potential. Then maybe at that point is when we realize, OK, what is the proper player fit for these guys when it’s time to really go?…