Detroit Pistons: 3 Early signs of taking a tangible step forward in 2023-24

The newcomers get off to a quick start

The addition of Monte Morris brings a veteran presence to the Pistons locker room as he should serve as an adequate mentor for both Cunningham and Ivey. Morris will be entering his 7th on his 3rd team and will provide professionalism and bring a calming presence to the Pistons locker room.

Morris will also provide the Pistons something that they were sorely lacking last season as they finished in the bottom half of the league in 3-pointers made per contest and 3-point percentage. Morris is a knockdown shooter, a solid passer and he takes care of the ball. Williams should consider allowing Morris to run the offense at times to allow Cunningham to play off the ball while also allowing him to set up Ivey for better shots.

That would give opponents another dynamic that they would have to try and defend and diversify what the Pistons could be offensively. The Pistons also acquired sharp shooting guard Joe Harris and that was a big win for them considering how they need to surround Cunningham with shooters. A well-known sniper from behind the arc, Harris will be able to help space the floor with his dangerous ability to catch and shoot. With Morris on the roster, and the fact that they drafted Marcus Sasser, will Bojan Bogdanovic be placed on the trade block due to his expiring contract?

Is Harris insurance in the event Bogdanovic is put on the market? And what role will rookie Ausar Thompson have? Williams will have to find minutes for him as he is quick off the floor, a skilled ball handler with an elite burst to the rim and he is capable of multiple positions. The roster will be crowded so the Pistons have an important decision as to what to do with Thompson.

He is way too talented to send to the G League and he could develop faster than the Pistons hope for if he is able to earn the minutes. Will Williams keep him on the bench or is he good enough to start?

I’m sure that Williams will figure out a role that will help with his development and keep the Pistons in the win column at the same time. The way he processes information so quickly and the way he finds weaknesses in the defense is impressive and he is definitely skilled beyond his years. He doesn’t force anything and allows the game to come to him and is also an unselfish and willing passer.