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The social media landscape around the Detroit Pistons has recently taken a depressing and recognisable turn.
Bold promises are being made by fans who are registering in large numbers (I won’t watch until Troy Weaver is fired! Yes.) and, for the second consecutive year, have generally reached their lowest point alongside the team, which currently holds the worst record in the NBA.
There is cause for optimism for the Pistons. They have Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, and Cade Cunningham, who are all rising stars (albeit they need to figure out how to keep him healthy), along with a tonne of salary space that at least gives them hope.
If we are being completely honest, though, they are a lost team with no obvious way back to being good—a disheartening realisation given that we are in the fourth year of Troy Weaver’s “restoration.”
Not only are there other teams in the league experiencing new lows this season, but the Pistons might have some competition for the title of most dismal club in the league.
The Detroit Pistons are a contender to be the team with the most dismal name.
Charlotte Hornets
Given that the Hornets are 18-54 and have little left to play for, it was not surprising when they announced that star LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the season. Ball has only appeared in 58 games over the course of the previous two seasons, and his enormous five-year contract hasn’t even started to run yet.
Though there is some hope because the Hornets did make an impact on two-way wing Brandon Miller, things in Charlotte are generally bleak.
There isn’t much else on the squad to be enthused about, and their other gifted young player, centre Mark Williams, has played 62 games in total over the course of two seasons.
The Hornets have at least ten players under contract for the upcoming season, so they are essentially set to stick with their current lineup. The worst thing is that they may add free-agent domestic abuser Miles Bridges as their big summer addition. Charlotte, try not to have a parade.
The good news is that most of those players—aside from Ball—have contracts that are pretty team-friendly, so the Hornets may be able to deal them to free up more cap room.
They at least have a very good young tandem if LaMelo Ball can get himself in order. If not, though, they are an even greater problem than the Pistons, though both teams could need a better run of health for their young core.
The Washington Wizards
Similar to the Hornets, but with even less youthful talent, are the Wizards. Other than Deni Avdija, who is quietly having a terrific season with the Wiz, there isn’t much about Washington’s roster that excites me.
For the upcoming season, Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole, Marvin Bagley III, and Landrey Shamet will all be receiving a collective salary of $75 million from Washington. That represents the majority of their cap space occupied by players who, at most, are supporting actors.
Along with some cap space, the Wizards, like the Pistons and Hornets, will also have a high choice in the unanticipated 2024 draft. However, the team’s core is unimpressive, and all of the players save MBIII are committed to the franchise for at least two more seasons after this one.
The Wizards might acquire some assets by trading Kuzma, but Poole—one of the league’s most irresponsible players—has a contract that no one will touch without significant assets attached, and he is committed to three more seasons after this one.
Fandom of the Pistons, wonderful news! The minor solace is that we are not the only ones whose franchise makes them drink. I suppose that at least we are not the Wizards, which is something.
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