Kevin Durant to Detroit Pistons: Could it work?
The Detroit Pistons have made slow and steady progress in their rebuilding toward success. However, Kevin Durant could speed that process up a lot – like now. With the announcement that Durant is seeking a trade from the Nets, could the Pistons swing a deal for the 12-time All-Star?
Pictures of Kevin Durant and Cade Cunningham working out together were all over social media last month. When the Pistons played Brooklyn back in March, the 6-foot-10 Durant, arguably the best player in the world, had very nice things to say about the rookie.
Kevin Durant says when you have a 6’7’’ point guard like Cade Cunningham that’s a good start. When you have someone who can wreck a defense like that it makes it tough. Like what they’re building in Detroit.
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) March 30, 2022
With reports pouring out that Durant has requested a trade from the Nets, how about pairing him up with a favored player of his in Cunningham?
Reportedly, Durant favores Miami and Phoenix as landing spots, but other reports say Brooklyn is going to take the best offer, not turning down less to cater to Durant’s desires (they have done enough of that already, look where it’s gotten them).
Why did Durant and Lillard want Detroit Pistons’ Jerami Grant on Olympic team. light. Related Story
Would Detroit be a top destination for Kevin Durant? Maybe not.
But the team is filled with young talent and hard workers, he would appreciate that. And Brooklyn won’t be looking for some old geezers other teams may offer, they are now building around Ben Simmons (obviously need shooters LOL). They will want young talent and draft picks, and Detroit has that.
How would a Kevin Durant to Detroit Pistons trade work?
Let’s move away from the could it possibly happen to the brass tacks of is it even possible. The trade of Jerami Grant did not leave a lot of big money contracts for Detroit to apply in a deal.
For the purposes of this trade, we will say restricted free agent center Marvin Bagley III gets $12 million a year.
The salaries match up close enough. The Nets get some players, and a chance next year at Victor Wembanya if Detroit has another bad year. Now, the Knicks have the Pistons first round pick next year if it is 18th or lower, which it might be, if Durant plays like he should.
In Hayes, Stewart and Bagley, Brooklyn gets some young players to help them rebuild, Olynyk and Burks are veterans who could be plugged-in as starters immediately (still have to sell tickets to Barclay Center) and help keep them semi-competitive.
Related Story. Durant says Cade and Pistons will be “force to be reckoned with”. light
Stewart is the only long-term player Detroit would be losing, so it is not a bad deal for them, as won’t ruin their future. Is it great for Brooklyn? Maybe not the best return, but when the whole world knows you have to move a player, what you get back diminishes.
Know a team with lots of assets and good young talent to trade? Asking for a friend. https://t.co/CewkGIIoRk
— PistonPowered (@PistonPowered) June 30, 2022
How is this for a Detroit Pistons starting lineup:
PG: Cade Cunningham
SG: Jaden Ivey or Hamidou Diallo
C: Nerlens Noel (Knicks finished top 4 in East when he started)
PF: Kevin Durant
SF: Saddiq Bey
The odds of this actually happening are not great, but general manager Troy Weaver says he is ‘restoring’ the Pistons to its past greatness. Hey Troy! Getting Kevin Durant = restored.
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