The Pistons are the Cavs’ biggest rival for the next five years

The Cleveland Cavaliers have exceeded everyone’s expectations this season and are en route to their first winning season sans LeBron James since the 1997-98 season. The Cavs peaked as a third seed this season, had Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen as All-Stars, and have the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award in Evan Mobley.

Even with major injuries to multiple key contributors, the team has still maintained a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference and has clinched a play-in spot with the Washington Wizards’ loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite what happens this postseason, this season should be looked at as a huge step in the right direction for a team that has all the makings of a perennial playoff squad.

What makes the Cavs’ run that more impressive this season is how tight-knit and competitive the Eastern Conference has been this season. The top four seeds of the conference are separated by just 1.5 games while the next three seeds are separated by a single game.

Outside of the top seven, the East still has the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets that could all make noise if they were to make the NBA playoffs. From there we get to the lesser teams in the Eastern Conference with the most interesting team of the bunch being the Detroit Pistons.

Despite what their record says, the Pistons have played many teams close as of late with their gritty play style led by rookie Cade Cunningham. This is a team that has given the Cavs fits this season as they split the season series 2-2. Considering the Pistons’ young core and being division foes, the two teams have the potential to be big rivals over the next 5-10 years.

The Pistons could very well be the Cavs’ biggest rival for the next five years/foreseeable future.

Comparing the two teams, the Pistons have seemed to find their franchise cornerstone in Cade Cunningham whereas the Cavaliers have found the same in Evan Mobley. Drafted in the same year, both players have superstar potential with their “unicorn-like” play. The Cavs have Darius Garland (who has largely been on an insane tear of late) to pair along with Mobley as the two franchise pieces whereas the Pistons are still searching for Cade’s co-star.

Considering their expected high draft pick, the Pistons have a shot at adding another superstar-level talent in this upcoming NBA draft.

For both teams, they have complementary young pieces to surround their franchise stars. On the Cavaliers, it’s Jarrett Allen and Collin Sexton, pending his upcoming restricted free agency. Looking at the Pistons, it’s Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, and recently-acquired Marvin Bagley III who could all blossom into better-than-quality NBA players.

Aside from their young cores, both organizations have seemed to add the right mix of veterans to their teams and have hard-nosed, gritty coaches to lead the way.

Team culture, young core, draft selection, and cap space put the Pistons in prime position to make a Cavs-level leap next season. As both teams continue to grow, battles will become stronger and have higher stipulations once they inevitably meet in the playoffs.

The Cavaliers have the current edge over the Pistons when it comes to team construction and success but things could quickly change depending on how successful this offseason is for Detroit.

If one thing’s for sure, games between the two will continue to be gritty and should bring back memories of the mid-2000s battles.