Pistons improved, but still rank way behind in stacked NBA Eastern Conference

The 2024 NBA draft is over, free agency is mostly done, and one thing is clear: The Eastern Conference has grown stronger.

The Boston Celtics, after a dominant run to the 2024 title, showed the rest of the conference there is a need for more talent. The top teams in the East responded, and many have an argument they are better than last season.

That starts with the Philadelphia 76ers, who added Paul George in the biggest free agency move of the offseason, forming an All-Star trio with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

The New York Knicks added to their "Nova Knicks" theme with a blockbuster deal to bring Mikal Bridges across town from the Brooklyn Nets for five first-round picks. That pairs him with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart.

The Milwaukee Bucks didn't make a splash, but return Damian Lillard for a his second season with Giannis Antetokounmpo. They still loom large as a threat, despite a disappointing first year together, which included the insertion of Doc Rivers as head coach at the halfway mark.

And then there's the Detroit Pistons, the worst team in the NBA over the past five seasons since last making the playoffs in 2019. Their highest win total since then is a meager 23, and they finished with a franchise-worst 14 wins last season.

The Pistons used this offseason to completely revamp their leadership, installing New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon as president of basketball operations and moving off previous head of basketball Troy Weaver. Langdon hired J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach and brought in some interesting pieces in the draft and free agency, including No. 5 overall pick Ron Holland and veteran forward Tobias Harris.

Where do the new-look Pistons rank in the Eastern Conference, heading into the 2024-25 season?

Here's how we see the conference shaping up as of July (*indicates rookie).