DETROIT – Even though the Detroit Pistons and President Trajan Langdon have repeatedly stated that they will be patient this summer, they remain a constant presence in the national media, with trade rumors including those involving future Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant.
The speculation intensified this week when several national pundits named the Pistons as one of their preferred destinations for Durant.
The reality of trading for Durant is daunting, given his age and the cost of acquiring him, which would likely require the trade of at least three players or the involvement of a third team.
The Phoenix Suns would likely want a couple of young players in return to secure a deal, as Durant is a no-brainer; even at 36, he remains an elite scorer.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks to shoot against Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
The Slim Reaper, or the Easy Money Sniper, was selected for his 15th All-Star team during the 2024-25 season.
With the Suns, the Durantula averaged 26.6 points per game, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games this season.
Durant, in the last three seasons, has averaged 25 points per game on 50% shooting from the field while knocking down 40% from beyond the arc, which is the longest streak in NBA history, according to ESPN.
The catch is that Durant is in the final year of his deal, so any team that acquires him will have to offer him a new contract for the trade to be finalized.
Durant is one of the greatest scorers in league history, but the Pistons clearly cannot deplete their roster for a player who will be 37 in September.
However, there is a reason that their team is being mentioned in the national media.
Langdon recently expressed confidence that such a player could emerge from the group, which includes Jaden Ivey, who is coming off a gruesome injury, Jalen Duren, Ron Holland II, and Ausar Thompson, but these players are no Durant.
The Pistons made an incredible jump with those guys last season, overcoming a 14-68 season to a 30-game improvement, going 44-38 to secure the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference behind head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff talks to Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
However, adding Durant alongside Cade Cunningham is something that can revive the old-school Detroit Bad Boys identity in the Motor City.
NBA Insider Zach Lowe called Detroit a fun destination for Durant. He put out a proposed deal that would land Durant.
Although it was a hypothetical idea, what Detroit is giving up doesn’t seem that bad.
Detroit Pistons receivePhoenix Suns receiveKevin DurantJaden IveyTobias HarrisIsaiah StewartFuture 1st-round pick
The Pistons were just a blown call and a couple of missed shots away from defeating the New York Knicks in their first-round series. Imagine if they had a bona fide closer in those matchups.
–> Detroit Pistons ‘no call’ in final seconds lead to Knicks taking commanding 3-1 series lead
New York made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but they were in a dogfight against the young core of the Pistons.
–> Heartbreak in Detroit: Knicks eliminate Pistons in Game 6 as Brunson delivers late-game heroics
According to Stephen A. Smith, the Pistons are among his top five destinations for Durant during Monday’s (June 9) episode of ESPN’s First Take.
Smith believes a pairing of Cunningham and Durant would be advantageous for the Pistons, which is why he doubled back on Thursday, June 12, 2025, episode of First Take, this time with Michigander Erving “Magic” Johnson as a guest.
Smith reiterated his top four potential landing spots for Durant: “In no particular order, I would say the Knicks, Miami, Houston, Detroit.”
Magic responded, “Ohh, that would be wonderful.”
Magic stated that Detroit needs Durant to help close out games, something they struggled with in the playoffs against the Knicks, who eliminated them in six games (4-2).
“Cunningham is still learning,” Magic said. “But you need a guy like Kevin Durant.”
“Kevin Durant would make Cunningham even better,” Smith said. “So he’s not taking away from the Pistons; he’s an addition, not a subtraction.”
Adding the four-time scoring champion, 11-time All-NBA selection, two-time NBA Champion, NBA regular season Most Valuable Player, and two-time Finals MVP would be the ultimate addition.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball against Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 21, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pistons defeated the Suns 133-125. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images) (2024 Kelsey Grant)
–> From John Wooden’s Bruins to NBA champion: Former Detroit Pistons forward David Greenwood dies at 68
–> Detroit Pistons-Mavericks to play NBA regular season game in Mexico City on Day of the Dead
–> Detroit’s miss, Indiana’s miracle: Tyrese Haliburton haunts Pistons in Pacers’ NBA Finals surge
–> Former Detroit Pistons athletic big man is 4 wins away from winning second NBA title
–> Pistons partner with Big Sean, Detroit Symphony Orchestra for star-studded J Dilla celebration
–> Detroit Pistons Owner Tom Gores pens an open letter to fans following magical season
–> NBA Draft Lottery: Detroit Pistons’ surprising playoff run costs them first-round pick in 2025
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.