Detroit Pistons

A modest improvement in team health couldn’t prevent the Pistons from finishing with a bottom-five record for the fifth consecutive year. Amidst the struggles was an NBA-record 28 straight losses and the eventual firing of head coach Monty Williams after his first season at the helm.

Games lost to injury or illness have been a limiting factor during the Pistons’ recent swoon. In hopes of improving their fortunes, Greg Smith was named Vice President of Health and Care to work with Senior Medical Director and Head Athletic Trainer Sebastien Poirier. Smith brings with him over 20 years of experience and has had an illustrious career in the NHL. He also cofounded Pivot Physical Therapy.

The reshaped medical team will need to keep Cade Cunningham on the court alongside a veteran group of players and offseason additions with unique injury profiles. Veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley provide shooting, but each have endured a myriad of injuries throughout their respective careers. Second year forward Ausar Thompson will also miss an indeterminate amount of time as he works his way from a blood clot issue discovered in March.