The Detroit Pistons lost Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley this offseason, but Trajen Langdon is happy to replace them with Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert.
The Detroit Pistons, after making a shocking run to the postseason, looked poised to run it back with the same roster. Jaden Ivey is ready to return after breaking his leg last season, and the Pistons seemed ready to commit to free agent Malik Beasley, bringing him back.
Instead, Beasley was named in a gambling investigation and the Pistons are not interested in bringing him back, replacing him with Duncan Robinson in a sign-and-trade. To round out the roster, Detroit re-signed backup center Paul Reed and brought in Caris LeVert.
While the Pistons were unable to sign a true superstar, Trajen Langdon is optimistic about their chances for improvement and thinks they will go on a deep playoff run.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesPistons added size and shooting
Beasley and Dennis Schroder were both reliable, if not elite, shooters in the Motor City last season, and their floor-spacing abilities were a big reason for Cade Cunningham’s breakout, which will continue to be a priority.
While neither LeVert nor Robinson take as many 3s as Beasley did last season, they are both excellent shooters in their own right, which bodes well for Detroit’s continual improvement.
PlayerPPG3PA3PTDennis Schroder13.14.934.2% (37.8 in DET)Malik Beasley16.39.341.6%Caris LeVert12.14.437.3%Duncan Robinson11.06.539.3%2024-25 season stats
On top of that, LeVert is five inches taller than Schroder and Robinson is three inches taller than Beasley, so not only did they keep their shooting intact, they added some size that should help their 12th-ranked rebounding from last season.
“I think with our two additions, we got bigger,” explained Langdon. “And we wanna continue putting on guys that can playmake a little bit, but also can shoot the ball.”
With improved size and accurate shooting, the Pistons are convinced they can take the next step in the Eastern Conference.
LeVert and Robinson bring valuable playoff experience
Last season was the first taste of the playoffs for the Pistons’ young core. Beasley and Schroder have both gone on deep playoff runs before, but Robinson has made two Finals, and LeVert is no stranger to the postseason, making the dance with the Nets and Cavaliers.
“These two guys have postseason experience as well,” continued Langdon.
While Robinson’s shooting addresses a clear need for the Pistons, especially with Beasley gone, LeVert can serve as the ultimate versatility piece in the lineup, which can’t be overcooked.
“The special thing about Caris is I think you can plug and play him with darn near anybody,” Langdon added. “He can go out there and guard ones, twos, and threes. He can handle, he can be a secondary ball handler. He can play on and he can play off, depending on the lineup.”
With a true point guard in Cunningham and combo-guards in LeVert, Ivey, and even Ausar Thompson, the Pistons should be primed to make some noise as a promising young team in a weak conference.