DETROIT >> Since taking over the franchise in September 2011, Tom Gores has spent the majority of his ownership of the Detroit Pistons in purgatory.

The Pistons endured 11 losing seasons, including the team winning a combined 31 games in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

With team president Trajan Langdon and coach J.B. Bickerstaff at the helm, growth was the only expectation Gores had entering his 13th season.

However, the Pistons exceeded Gores’ modest expectations by winning 44 games and qualifying for the playoffs for the third time under his stewardship.

“Gratification is to the players; they deserve all of the credit,” Gores said ahead of the Pistons’ Game 6, series-ending loss to the New York Knicks on May 1. “They saw their hard work deliver.”

Detroit’s success has allowed Gores to have a less stressful offseason than previous years.

However, as he looks to build on the team’s achievements, he remains focused on maintaining the same distinct approach that led him to make several franchise-altering decisions last summer.

“Our urgency is not going to stop, and that is an organizational motto,” Gores said.

“The urgency is not going to change. This team has shown a lot. These guys really like each other; it’s a combination of great men and unselfish men who are really good at basketball.”

For the first time since 2016, they have a promising foundation to build upon, headlined by a prominent young core.

They will have a little under $20 million in cap space to spend throughout the summer, and for the first time since 2020, the Pistons have control of their future draft picks, which they can utilize in any potential blockbuster trade.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will have the Pistons’ first-round pick for this year. Detroit’s lone pick in the draft will be in the second round at No. 37.

Given the number of All-Star caliber players who likely will be on the move, the Pistons have the assets and established culture to land a prominent talent. However, despite the urgency, Gores seems willing to allow management to balance the team’s cohesion and needs when it comes to improving the roster.

It’s the same approach Langdon took at the NBA trade deadline in February, which led to Dennis Schröder becoming the Pistons’ lone and most important in-season acquisition.

“The chemistry is tremendous here, I haven’t seen anything like this in my time,” Gores said.

“Trajan saw some really good stuff from these players. … He adapted to what we had, and obviously, we have been successful.

“We are not going to let up. We have more to do. I love the future of this team.”