The Detroit Pistons' plan to tank in the 2020-21 NBA season paid dividends as the team ended up landing Cade Cunningham, the no. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft. With Cunningham leading an impressive young core that also had last year's pick, Killian Hayes, on it, the Pistons are expected to improve on their performances from last year in the upcoming season.With the 2021-22 NBA season less than a month away, we will take a look at the Detroit Pistons' roster, preseason, schedule, and key dates in this article.Detroit Pistons roster for the 2021-22 NBA SeasonNBA 2020-21: Miami Heat v Detroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons will go into the new season with multiple rookies, with Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Livers being two prominent names. Jerami Grant is expected to be the de-facto leader of the team, while Corey Joseph will provide much-needed experience.Killian Hayes is expected to improve massively after suffering a serious injury setback in the 2020-21 NBA season and could form a productive backcourt partnership with Cunningham.Player NamePositionYears in NBARodney McGruderGuard5Kelly OlynykForward8Jerami GrantForward7Chris Smith (two-way)ForwardRCory JosephGuard10Trey LylesForward6Killian HayesGuard1Saben LeeGuard1Saddiq BeyForward1Luka Garza (two-way)CenterRIsaiah LiversForwardRIsaiah StewartForward1Jamorko PickettForwardRCade CunninghamGuardRDeividas SyrividisGuard1Hamidou DialloGuard3Frank JacksonGuard3Anthony TarkeGuardRKey dates for Detroit Pistons entering the 2021-22 NBA seasonMedia Day: September 27, 2021 - MondayTraining Camp Start Date: September 28, 2021 - TuesdaySeason Opener: Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons, (October 20th, 2021 - Wednesday, 7:00 PM ET).Detroit Pistons@DetroitPistons🚨 Introducing our 2021-22 Training Camp Squad! 🚨🔗: on.nba.com/3EQSW1r#NoBrakes | #DetroitUp12:05 PM · Sep 28, 202114224🚨 Introducing our 2021-22 Training Camp Squad! 🚨🔗: on.nba.com/3EQSW1r#NoBrakes | #DetroitUp https://t.co/h80Kr7SYUrThe Detroit Pistons will open their NBA season with a game against the Chicago Bulls, who have undergone considerable changes in terms of their roster over the summer. DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball will come in to aid Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, forming one of the most fearsome quartets in the league.Detroit Pistons preseason schedule and datesThe Detroit Pistons will begin their preseason with a game against the San Antonio Spurs, who will be hopeful of a spot in the Play-In tournament next season. The game against the Spurs will be followed by trips to Memphis and New York to take on the Grizzlies and the Knicks. The Pistons will end their pre-season schedule with a match against the Philadelphia 76ers.Date and TimeMatchTVWednesday, October 6th, 7:00 PM ETSan Antonio Spurs vs Detroit PistonsBally Sports DetroitMonday, October 11th, 8:00 PM ETDetroit Pistons vs Memphis GrizzliesBally Sports DetroitWednesday, October 13th, 7:00 PM ETDetroit Pistons vs New York KnicksBally Sports DetroitFriday, October 15th, 7:00 PM ETPhiladelphia 76ers vs Detroit PistonsBally Sports DetroitRod Beard@detnewsRodBeard#Pistons Dwane Casey on Cade Cunningham: "One thing I know is Cade won't be a bust ... but there will be growing pains and we have to be supportive."12:10 PM · Sep 28, 2021263#Pistons Dwane Casey on Cade Cunningham: "One thing I know is Cade won't be a bust ... but there will be growing pains and we have to be supportive."The Detroit Pistons are arguably in a tougher conference in the NBA, and they will have to be at their best to win matches considering how young their roster is. It's going to be a significant learning curve for their youngsters, and head coach Dwayne Casey will hope that his experienced players will turn out to be ideal mentors for the players junior to them.