What happened: Marcus Sasser began the season working back from a preseason injury, and the Pistons had climbed to 18-5 by the time he was healthy. His third NBA season was the most challenging stretch of his young career. Even so, he delivered whenever Detroit called his number.

Why it matters: Detroit's fast start while easing Sasser back into the rotation showed off the depth that carried the franchise to back-to-back playoff appearances. A guard who can produce on demand gives the Pistons added flexibility as they shape the roster for the 2026-27 season.

What to watch: The question heading into 2026-27 is how large a role Sasser earns and whether Detroit's offseason moves expand or shrink his minutes.