DETROIT >> A 3-point field goal by Jalen Brunson in the closing seconds of Game 6 put a heartbreaking end to the Detroit Pistons’ renaissance season. It was a season in which the Pistons tripled their win total from the previous year with a record of 44-38 while ending their six-year playoff drought.

J.B. Bickerstaff’s coaching was central to the Pistons’ turnaround. However, every player who took the court contributed to Detroit’s success in some way.

Detroit News Pistons beat writer Coty M. Davis breaks down each player’s contribution and provides an offseason outlook (players in alphabetical order at each position).

Backcourt

Malik Beasley

Beasley was arguably the best offseason acquisition the Pistons made. He finished second for Sixth Man of the Year honors while averaging the third-most points on the team (16.3). Beasley also made the second-most 3-pointers in the league this season with 319 triples, trailing only Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (320).

His production took a slight decline during the playoffs, where he shot 33.9% from behind the arc while averaging 14.0 points. However, Beasley’s postseason performance should not cloud his future with the franchise.

Beasley will become a free agent this offseason after signing a one-year deal last summer. Re-signing the veteran guard should be a top priority. He played a crucial role in the Pistons’ success and served as an essential veteran leader for the young core.

According to ESPN, Beasley’s non-Bird rights will allow Detroit to re-sign him to a contract starting at just over $7 million. Given the number of teams that likely will come knocking in an attempt to improve their shooting, the price will probably have to be raised for the Pistons to have a chance to keep Beasley in the Motor City.

Cade Cunningham

• Stats: 26.1 PPG, 9.1 APG, 6.1 RPG, 46.9% FG in 70 games. Age 23. Contract: Five years remaining, $238 million.

• Jalen Duren said it best: “This is the worst version of Cade Cunningham you are going to see.” In a season where several young prospects established themselves as prominent players, one can argue that Cunningham took the most sensational leap.

In his most healthy season since entering the league in 2021, Cunningham finally had a chance to demonstrate the star potential that made him the No. 1 pick four years ago.

He set career highs in all statistical categories while recording the fifth-most triple-doubles in the league at nine. Cunningham also made significant improvements on defense, particularly during the playoffs, where he averaged 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks.While approaching his first All-NBA selection, turnovers were the only knock against the All-Star guard. The issue was a constant problem throughout the regular season (4.4) and slightly worsened in the playoffs. By the time the Pistons were eliminated in six games, Cunningham led the NBA in turnovers, averaging 5.3.

Improvements to his game this summer could result in Cunningham becoming an MVP-caliber player in his fifth season.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

• Stats: 11.0 PPG, 40.6% FG in 77 games. Age: 33. Contract: Free agent.

Hardaway joined the Pistons in July in salary cap relief for the Dallas Mavericks. Ten months later, he had become one of the biggest factors in the Pistons’ turnaround. He kept the team afloat during its early struggles, shooting 45.7% on 3-pointers through the first dozen games.

Hardaway cooled off a bit as the season progressed. However, his most significant contributions came when leading Detroit to a handful of victories when the team was shorthanded due to injuries. His best game of the season was in the Pistons’ 133-122 win over Cleveland, where he scored a season-high 32 points while Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris were out.

Hardaway continued his solid performance in the playoffs, delivering a 24-point effort in Game 3. He is one of three core players entering free agency this summer, and re-signing the former Michigan product should be one of Detroit’s top priorities.

Jaden Ivey

• Stats: 17.6 PPG, 4.0 APG, 4.1 RPG, 46.0% FG, 40.9% 3FG in 30 games. Age: 23. Contract: One year remaining, $10 million.

From his playmaking to 3-point shooting, Ivey demonstrated significant improvements before a broken left fibula ended his season. He took the helm as the Pistons’ go-to scorer down the stretch, averaging 2.5 points in clutch moments and leading Detroit to a 7-5 record in games decided by five points or less. Ivey was Detroit’s most improved player until his devastating leg injury in January.

Ivey’s offseason training will focus on his rehabilitation. He is expected to be ready by early October, just in time for the start of training camp.

Ivey is one of two Pistons eligible for a contract extension this summer. He likely will be awarded a new deal based on his performance prior to his injury.

Daniss Jenkins

• Age: 23.

Jenkins has only played seven games with the Pistons and has logged a total of 23 minutes. However, he performed impressively during his G League outings. With the Motor City Cruise this season, Jenkins averaged 21.2 points on 43.9% shooting from the field, with 7.1 assists and 1.9 steals — establishing himself as the Pistons’ top two-way prospect.

Marcus Sasser

• Stats: 6.6 PPG, 46.3% FG, 38.2% 3FG in 55 games. Age: 24. Contract: Two years remaining, $7 million.

Sasser’s second year was a slight disappointment. However, his lack of production this season was due to the tight rotation Bickerstaff used, which resulted in him recording 24 DNPs. When called upon, Sasser was a reliable shot-creator and solid defender, as his contributions off the bench helped in a handful of regular-season wins. It was somewhat surprising Bickerstaff did not use Sasser at any point during the postseason.

Dennis Schröder

• Stats: 10.8 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.6 RPG, 37.8% FG in 28 games. Age: 31. Contract: Free agent.

After Ivey broke his leg on Jan. 1, Bickerstaff revealed that Schröder was a key trade target for the Pistons. The same sense of urgency that drove the Pistons to land his services from the Golden State Warriors in February should be repeated this summer. Schröder is one of three rotational players who will be free agents and management should do everything possible to bring the veteran point guard back to Detroit.

He served as a reliable floor general during the second half of the season, which was a need even before Ivey’s injury. Schröder also kept Detroit competitive during the playoffs, averaging 12.5 points on 47.6% shooting from deep and 3.7 assists.

Lindy Waters III

• Stats: 3.4 PPG, 36.4% FG, 39.5% 3FG in 14 games. Age: 24. Contract: Free agent.

After landing Waters in the same trade that netted the Pistons Schröder, Bickerstaff did not use Waters in his rotation. He only received meaningful playing time during Detroit’s season finale against Milwaukee, where Waters scored 18 points with six triples in the overtime loss.

Frontcourt

Simone Fontecchio

Perhaps it was the ongoing recovery from toe surgery that sidelined him for much of the offseason, but Fontecchio had a disappointing start. However, after the All-Star break, he started to find a rhythm that made him a reliable reserve during the second half, which featured a 23-point performance against New Orleans on March 17.

Ron Harper Jr.

• Age: 25.

A season finale road contest against the Bucks on April 13 marked the only game Harper appeared in for Detroit. He spent the season playing in the G-League, averaging 18.2 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Tobias Harris

• Stats: 13.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 47.7% FG, 34.5% 3FG in 73 games. Age: 32. Contract: One year remaining, $26 million.

Harris is the only player who can challenge Beasley as the Pistons’ best acquisition from the previous summer. He met all of the expectations he came into the season with as a veteran who is still producing at a high level. He was essential in Detroit’s revival as a two-way go-to option, and he put together one of the most impactful seasons of his career.

Harris was great during the regular season but elevated his game during the playoffs, scoring an average of 15.7 points on 47.9% shooting from the field, 43.5% 3-point shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He also played a vital role in limiting Karl-Anthony Towns’ performances at times, including holding the All-Star big man scoreless in the second half during Detroit’s Game 2 victory.

Before the start of the season, Bucks coach Doc Rivers described Harris as a “pro’s pro,” and he lived up to his former coach’s high praise.

Ron Holland II

• Stats: 6.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 47.4% FG in 81 games. Age: 19. Contract: Three years remaining, $28 million.

Ron Holland was not in the running for Rookie of the Year, but he did make a compelling case to be viewed as one of the most impactful prospects from the 2024 NBA Draft. Due to his high energy and effort on both ends, Holland embodied the franchise’s heart and soul and became a fan favorite. His rookie season laid the foundation to build upon this offseason, especially when it comes to improvements in his shooting and decision-making.

Bobi Klintman

• Age: 21. Contract: Three years remaining, $5 million.

Unlike Holland, Klintman did not get the chance to make an impact on the Pistons’ season as a rookie. However, he showcased his two-way potential during Detroit’s 140-133 overtime loss to the Bucks to close the regular season, where he scored a career-best 15 points, to go along with six assists and two steals.

Paul Reed

• Stats: 4.8 PPG, 55.9% FG in 22 games. Age: 25. Contract: Free agent.

Reed is another player who did not establish a consistent role in Bickerstaff’s rotation, but he was productive when he got a chance to play due to his defense, energy and hustle.

He was vital in helping the Pistons replace Isaiah Stewart’s production during the playoffs, averaging 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals during the series.

Ausar Thompson

• Stats: 10.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 53.5% FG in 59 games. Age: 22. Contract: Two years remaining, $19 million.

Thompson began his second year late due to his recovery from a blood clot. He made his season debut in late November and quickly reestablished himself as a promising player. Throughout the season, Thompson displayed his talents as a versatile force on both ends, providing the Pistons a solid go-to player in transition while becoming the team’s best perimeter defender.

Foul trouble limited Thompson’s production during the playoffs. However, he arguably had his best career performance during the Pistons’ Game 5 win at Madison Square Garden, where he recorded 22 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

Bigs

Jalen Duren

At the start of the season, Duren‘s consistency was a major flaw.

But once he found his niche in Bickerstaff’s system, Duren put together the best year of his young career, finishing ninth for most double-doubles with 41.

His most considerable improvements came during the second half, when he took a major leap in his defensive production.

Duren was solid in his first playoff series, averaging 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.7 blocks.

He is entering the offseason with Ivey as one of two players eligible for a contract extension.

He will not receive the max, but due to his production and importance to the franchise, Duren will be awarded a nice raise.

Isaiah Stewart

• Stats: 6.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 BPG in 72 games. Age: 23. Contract: Three years remaining, $45 million.

Stewart took on a minor role in the Pistons’ offense this season.

However, the adjustment under Bickerstaff allowed the veteran big man to become the team’s top defensive anchor and interior defender. He finished the regular season leading all bench players in blocks.

Given the close nature of the Pistons’ first-round series against the Knicks, Stewart probably would have made a significant difference.