Jaden Ivey, Cade Cunningham and the 'restoration' of the Detroit Pistons franchise

The Pistons win the opening tip and the No. 7 pick in the 2020 NBA draft dribbles up the floor. From his left, Jaden Ivey, this year's No. 5 pick, dashes around a screen.

The bounce pass was caught by Ivey. While he does, the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Jalen Duren, the No. 13 pick in this year's draft, sneaks his way near the basket, Portland ignores the rookies. Then, with the flick of his wrist, Ivey passes to Duren, who snatches it midair for the slam.

During summer league, one play is the epitome of small-Sample theater.

The Pistons, who have lost 157 games over the past three seasons, hope it's a glimpse of what's to come.

An Eastern Conference scout said that he felt like Duren when he was on the field. The two most athletic players are in the draft.

The Pistons believe that Ivey is the perfect complement to Cunningham, the No. 1 overall draft pick.

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Jaden Ivey throws a pass up to Jalen Duren who dunks the ball in the first minute of the game.

He's quick. Cunningham is not fast. The floor is spread out a lot by having someone like that with me. I want to push the pace and he can sprint it there. It will be enjoyable.

The Pistons came out of the draft and summer league feeling like one of the biggest winners in the league, with Ivey and Duren joining a core that includes Cunningham and Saddiq Bey, both of whom were drafted in the 2020 draft's first round. They think these players are the foundation for a contender in the Eastern Conference.

A source said that they hit a home run. You can feel the thrill. TroyWeaver did a great job of putting guys together on the same date.

We have to be careful not to put too much pressure on ourselves because we will probably have the youngest team in the league next year. I think we can make a big jump in wins because of our chemistry.

Weaver got a call from Gores in the hours leading up to the draft.

Gores told Weaver he wanted him to be aggressive. Go for it.

The Pistons had a player. The Pistons prioritized adding a guard with speed and athletic ability to the backcourt this summer, according to Weaver. According to sources, they were prepared to explore options during the free agency period.

They liked the board on draft night. It was a waiting game with the 5th pick.

The first four players were forwards and Detroit was in a good position to pick the first guard.

Weaver said that one of the men was on the board. "Cash in."

One more player was on their wish list.

The New York Knicks were looking for ways to clear salary cap space on draft night as they prepared to sign a guard. The Knicks wanted to take Kemba Walker's $8 million salary off their hands in order to give him a four-year, $104 million contract with the Pistons joining a three-team trade.

The Hornets received a number of future picks in exchange for the 18-year-old.

The Pistons have a large man.

A team source said Duren's performance left an impression on the organization and that Detroit was the first team he worked out with. Duren told his agent that he wanted to play in Detroit.

Duren wanted to be here throughout the entire process. Getting back to restoring the culture is important for Detroit. The team is a young one. There is a team that can grow.

Rival teams are already seeing the fit for Duren and Cunningham on the court.

According to a rival Eastern Conference executive, you have a downhill threat and a guy who can pass. It's going to be difficult to guard that. They have some guys who you think will be good. The guys are set up well even if one of them hits.

After the draft, the Pistons' brass gathered at Rouge Park in Detroit for the rookies' introductory news conference. A makeshift stage was set up on a basketball court with trees decorating the background and a crate of basketballs at the foot of the stage.

Weaver and the Pistons coach sat at the table next to the lectern, while the Pistons players wore black polos and caps.

When presenting the players with their jerseys, Tellem surprised Ivey with the jerseys of three of his relatives, all of whom are from the city of Detroit.

The Detroit Shock played in the final season of the Women's National Basketball Association. James Hunter was a player with the Lions. Javin Hunter was a football player in the city of Michigan.

Tellem said, "I hope you frame these wherever you live and look at these as your inspiration and your incredible ties to this city."

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As he took pictures with his parents, he had tears in his eyes.

"I'm familiar with the city, I've been here all the time as a boy," he said. Being a Pistons is a blessing.

Weaver thought about the conversation he had with Gores hours before the draft as he sat on that stage. He was unsure of how draft night would go. He looked to his right and saw the two men.

Weaver said that the result of being aggressive is this. We are grateful that we arrived here. The restoration will be defined by these moments.

Weaver and the Pistons refer to their efforts to bring the Pistons back to contention as reclamation.

Since Detroit's last playoff appearance, no team in the NBA has won fewer games, but with its new additions, optimism is rising.

Cunningham is happy we have two big-time talents. Some kind of magic was done by Troy. I think it all went well.

The Pistons' starting lineup could feature five former first-round picks, led by a pair of top-five picks. The benchmark for top-five duos is set by the Boston Celtics in their fifth season together. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. made it to the conference semifinals in their third season together.

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A mother applauds from the stands as her son breaks away for a dunk.

Seeing an organization excited about its influx of young talent reminded Jaden's mother, who was the head coach of the Notre Dame women's basketball team at the time, of her year as an assistant with the Memphis.

"When I put on my coach hat, it's like, 'Oh gosh, those pieces are going to be special,'" I know how quickly the team turned around because I was a part of it. I think that's where the Pistons are going.

It's moving fast. Executives in the Eastern Conference are talking about how this young team could end Detroit's playoff futility before Duren is old enough to drink.

The Eastern Conference executive thinks they might be a year from now. The players are going to play hard. The teams are hard-working. It's not a big deal. It will be a part of their growth, but it will be worth it in the long run.

They are going to be a fun team to watch.