The Detroit Pistons have become one of the top young teams in the NBA. They've turned their franchise around after winning just 14 games last season, they finished with the No. 6 best record in the East this year.
Although they've quickly become an exciting team to watch, they still may be a player or two from being a true contender in the East. Brad Botkin of CBS Sports has a trade proposal that sends ex-Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant to the Pistons.
"The Pistons can offer a pretty sweet package in return without compromising their core. They own all their own first-round picks beyond 2025, and they have a really promising young players like Jaden Ivey (who may have become a convenient odd man out with the way the Pistons played without him due to his injury from January on this season), Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson," Botkin wrote.
Due to Durant's $194 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, the Pistons would likely have to include Tobias Harris, since his $52 million contract is the highest on the team. A trade package of Harris, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson could work along with some first-round draft picks.
If the Pistons were to trade for Durant, it gives them a legit duo with both him and their star Cade Cunningham. The combination of those two players would help create more space for Cunningham to penetrate and could result in a less predictable offense.
"Put Durant with Cunningham, who would suddenly have all kinds of room to penetrate, and Jalen Duren while keeping the solid support staff Detroit has built and this is a team that can take another massive leap next season," Botkin added.
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As a small-market team, Detroit won't always be the top destination for top free agents, but a player like Durant, who is in the final stages of his career and has already played for a smaller-market team like the Thunder, he could be ready to return to a team with less pressure.
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