The Detroit Pistons opened 2026 the same way they closed 2025 — winning in a variety of ways and anchoring everything with elite defense. Injuries over the past few weeks failed to slow their momentum, and now the Pistons are back to full strength ahead of a tough stretch against Boston, Houston, and Denver to close out the month.
1. Threats in the East?
Opening the floor: who poses the biggest threat to Detroit in the postseason — and can the Pistons capitalize on what many view as a “gap year” in the conference?
Detroit currently holds a 4.5-game lead over Boston, which has cooled off after a scorching December. The Pistons have taken two of three from the Celtics, with all three games decided by single digits. The wild card is Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery — whether he could return at all, and whether Boston would even allow it. The contrasting styles of these teams would make for a fascinating playoff series.
Then there’s New York. Detroit dismantled the Knicks in their lone meeting so far, but you’d expect a much sharper response in future matchups. Below them, Toronto — whom the Pistons haven’t yet faced — along with Philadelphia, Orlando, and Cleveland all linger as dangerous middle-tier threats in a tightly packed East.
2. Deadline looming
With less than a month until the NBA trade deadline, there’s little consensus among fans or media about how — or even if — Trajan Langdon will approach roster changes.
There seem to be two main schools of thought consuming fans’ minds: swing for a bigger name or stand pat. But there’s also a middle ground Langdon could easily land on, similar to last season’s Dennis Schröder acquisition — a move that paid dividends during Detroit’s strong finish despite a first-round exit.
Detroit needs shooting, but they’ll be careful to add someone who won’t disrupt the culture or identity they’ve built. It’s hard to envision them sacrificing young assets for a moderate upgrade, but could a name like Tobias Harris surface in that type of deal? And what kind of draft capital would Langdon be willing to throw into a deal?
3. Duren back
Jalen Duren returned for the first time since New Year’s Day and immediately made his presence felt, posting 16 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks — including a momentum-swinging rejection late in the fourth quarter.
After a roaring start to the season, injuries slowed Duren in December, when his averages dipped to 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, down from November marks of 21.5 and 12.6. Still, it feels far more likely that his early-season production represents the real version of his trajectory rather than a hot stretch.
At just 22 years old, with multiple areas of his game still developing, there’s no clear ceiling on what Duren can become — and that uncertainty will loom large as future contract discussions approach. The Pistons are just happy to have him back at full strength.
