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The Detroit Pistons are coming off of a winning, playoff season and will take on the Chicago Bulls in their 2025-26 NBA season opener in the Windy City Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. The Pistons’ flaws were put on full display during last year’s first round series loss to the New York Knicks including their lack of front court depth with big man Isaiah Stewart out due to injury and rising star center Jalen Duren forced to hold down the paint by himself on multiple occasions. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and general manager Trajan Langdon were among the guest speakers at a leadership event at the Detroit Economic Club Tuesday during which Bickerstaff revealed why his team declined undisclosed trade offers for veteran players this past offseason. DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 10: Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the second half of a game against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on April 10, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) More News: Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Receives Major Prediction From NBA Champ Bickerstaff Breaks Silence on Pistons Offseason The Pistons didn’t make the type of offseason move many fans expected as they brought in guard Caris Levert and guard/forward Duncan Robinson to improve the team’s outside shooting but didn’t add a big man to go with Stewart, Duren and the team’s backups. Bickerstaff explained the Pistons’ reasoning at the event. “You know, there was a decision made this summer because we believed in the guys that we had, very easily, like we had some guys play well, there’s other teams that want ’em, we could have made some sort of a move to bring in, you know a older veteran player, whatever, but there’s a belief in our building in the guys that we have, and it’s our responsibility like Trajan said to give them everything that we have,” Bickerstaff said. “They deserve that. They deserve a chance together to see how good they can actually grow to be, and then it’s all of our responsibility to give them everything that they need, we have to be able to give them our time, we have to be willing to be on the floor with them, come back in the gym late at night with them,” Bickerstaff continued. Pistons Face Division Rivals in Chicago The Pistons have a chance to start the 2025-26 season off on the right foot in Chicago in their 8 p.m. matchup with head coach Billy Donovan’s Bulls. The Pistons are favored by 3.5 points with Stewart off of the injury report and guards Marcus Sasser and Caris Levert both listed as day-to-day heading into the game. The Bulls found new life after a trade for former Thunder guard Josh Giddey last season but failed to make the playoffs, losing in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament to the Miami Heat. The Pistons’ tweaked lineup has everything it needs to make a deep run in Bickerstaff’s estimation, now it’s go time for the Pistons coach and his talented young players. More News: Timberwolves Announce Troubling Anthony Edwards Injury News For more about the Detroit Pistons and the NBA, visit Newsweek Sports.
