Pistons favored to repeat as Central champs
Bucks begin a new era under Jenkins
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DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons are favored to repeat as NBA Central Division champions, but they’re behind Philadelphia, the New York Knicks and Boston in odds to win the East a season after winning a conference-high 60 games. That seems reasonable because the other contenders appear to have more talent on the roster.
Detroit didn’t make a major move in the offseason, banking on its young players continuing to develop. Cade Cunningham, coming off an All-NBA season, is aiming to take the next step by cutting down turnovers after ranking fourth and second in that category the last two seasons.
All-Star center Jalen Duren, who signed a contract extension after missing the start of training camp, will have every opportunity to establish himself as the team’s second star.
Last season: 60-22, lost to Cleveland in the second round.
COACH: J.B. Bickerstaff (3rd season with Pistons, 10th season overall 359-350).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 20 vs. Boston.
DEPARTURES: F Tobias Harris, C Isaiah Stewart, G Caris LeVert.
ADDITIONS: F John Collins, G Isaiah Joe, F Taurean Prince, G Ebuka Okori.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Cunningham is one of the NBA’s best players, finishing fifth in MVP voting last season. Ausar Thompson, who signed a contract extension in the offseason, made the All-Defensive team last season and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting after averaging a league-high two steals per game.
The not-so-good: Even during Detroit’s renaissance the last two years, it has struggled to shoot from the outside. The Pistons connected on just 11 3-pointers per game last year, when only Sacramento made fewer 3-pointers. Turnovers, led by Cunningham, who handles the ball a lot as a point guard, have also been a problem that hasn’t been fixed.
Players to watch
Cunningham averaged 23.9 points, a career-high 9.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds last season and could be even more productive this season. Even though Duren got paid, signing a $200 million, five-year deal, he has a lot to prove after being exposed for his offensive shortcomings in the playoffs.
Joe, acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City, is a desperately needed shooter. He has made 681 3-pointers over the last four regular seasons, connecting on 41.5% of his attempts past the arc during that span. Collins was signed in free agency and essentially replaces Harris, who left to join the San Antonio Spurs.
Bucks beginning post-Antetokounmpo era under new coach Taylor JenkinsMilwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Last season: 32-50, missed playoffs
COACH: Taylor Jenkins (1st season with Bucks, 7th season overall, 250-214)
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 21 at Washington
DEPARTURES: F Giannis Antetokounmpo, F Bobby Portis
ADDITIONS: F Nate Ament, G Brayden Burries, G Tyler Herro, G Kasparas Jakučionis, G/F Jaime Jaquez Jr., G Caris LeVert, C Kel’el Ware
What to expect
Milwaukee is retooling after the offseason trade of Antetokounmpo, who owns virtually every major career record in franchise history. With the two-time MVP now in Miami, the Bucks must spend this season sorting out which of their many newcomers are keepers. The Bucks’ string of nine straight playoff appearances ended last season when Antetokounmpo played a career-low 36 games due to injury.
The Bucks figure to finish well out of the playoff mix again this year and could end up near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Rather than talking about wins and losses, new coach Taylor Jenkins has emphasized building the right habits and never getting outworked as the Bucks seek to instill the right culture for this new era.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: The Bucks have plenty of depth in the backcourt with the additions of Herro and Burries to join a group that already included Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. among others. Herro is a 2025 All-Star, Burries is a lottery pick and Rollins finished fifth in balloting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award last season.
Although Porter played only 38 games, he had a team-high 7.4 assists per game and was second on the Bucks in points per game (17.4). One of Jenkins’ big challenges will be sorting out playing time among all these guards.
The not-so-good: This team has no real star power now that Antetokounmpo has departed. Herro’s the only player on the roster who has been selected to an All-Star Game, but Milwaukee doesn’t have nearly as many options in its frontcourt as it does in its backcourt.
The Bucks need 7-footer Myles Turner to recapture the form he showed during his 10 years with Indiana. In his first season in Milwaukee last year, Turner had a career-low 5.3 rebounds per game. His 11.3 points per game marked his lowest average since his rookie year.
Players to watch
Burries’ performance in the NBA Summer League suggests the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft could have a long and productive career. He is the guy on this roster who is most likely to have a major role on Milwaukee’s next playoff team.
All the former Heat players who arrived in the Antetokounmpo trade (Herro, Jakučionis, Jaquez and Ware) bear watching. Herro has an expiring contract and Jaquez could become a restricted free agent after the season, so the Bucks must decide soon whether they’re part of the future.
Ware is a 22-year-old 7-footer who had some intriguing moments in Miami but couldn’t sustain a major role. He should get more of a chance to prove himself in Milwaukee. Jakučionis, who is only 20, has plenty of long-range potential.