Preseason NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers look like Eastern Elite

17. Detroit Pistons

Over the last year, the Detroit Pistons added a super max-level talent in Blake Griffin and the reigning NBA Coach-of-the-Year in Dwane Casey.

Needless to say, it looks like the Pistons are going to be in the playoff conversation again this season.

After finishing out the 2017-2018 NBA season as the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons easily could have finished out the season in the sixth seed had a few more balls fallen their way, but now, with a brand new head coach running the show, gifted with a roster loaded with a pair of immensely talented big men, the Pistons look like a surprisingly formidable team that could make a run at a high seed in the playoffs.

What could go wrong?

Unlike a few other teams higher up on this list (see the next slide), the Pistons are not a team known for infighting and could rally around their new leader to take a major step forward in both the short and long-term. Though they could use an upgrade at a few key positions across their roster, like to replace busted first-round pick Stanley Johnson and starting point guard Reggie Jackson, Detroit looks like a team that could turn a lot of heads next season, and give the East’s top teams a run for their money.