How do we evaluate this season for the Detroit Pistons? Is strong play with Blake Griffin in the lineup combined with the first playoff appearance since 2015-16 a success, or does a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks mean disappointment?
Probably a combination of both. With Griffin healthy, the ceiling of the current roster is a 42- to 44-win team and the No. 6 seed. Without him, the Pistons are a lottery team.
The challenge now comes with how this roster can improve. While there is no questioning the impact of Griffin, Detroit returns 11 players facing financial restrictions for real roster improvement.
Now eliminated from the postseason, let's look ahead to the free agency, draft and trade decisions facing Detroit this offseason.