If Cade can have second season similar to LaMelo last year they have some chance for a play-in.
8 teams are locked for playoff or play-in in my opinion. They need to be better than 5 of next 6 teams...Pacers,Magic,Hornets,Wizards,Knicks,Bulls. Better record than Pacers,Magic and Hornets...that sounds realistic. And now they need to be better than two of Wizards,Knicks and Bulls which is achievable. All this teams have flaws and there are no clear favourites. Still,I think they will finish 11.-12.,I don't trust Casey at all and defense is too questionable. Waiting for Casey to retire soon and take job in Pistons office and new coach to come in a year or two for this young core.
But hope is certainly there and plenty of reasons to be optimistic. They are my top 5 league pass teams this season,maybe even top 3 if Duren get a chance immediately. Pistons are fun finally.