Pistons cleared runway for Jalen Duren but the real story is what they haven't done

The Detroit Pistons made a marginal trade to free up enough cap space to sign Jalen Duren without going into the tax. 

The odd thing is that it hasn’t happened yet, as the stalemate between the Pistons and their All-NBA center is lingering well past the point it should have. Neither side has better options, so it is curious this deal hasn’t been completed. 

The Pistons have made moderate improvements (arguably) this summer but have spent most of it fretting over and waiting for the Duren saga to come to a merciful end. 

Detroit has added shooting in Isaiah Joe, John Collins and Gary Harris, but those hardly seem like moves that will push the Pistons over the top, especially when it came at the cost of guys like Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart who were key to the team’s success. 

As Cade Cunningham enters year six, he still has the same glaring issue he had in year one, which is that he doesn’t have enough help. 

What is the Detroit Pistons plan here? 

While the Pistons have been attached to several big names this summer, none of them ever seemed like realistic possibilities due to their availability or asking price. 

Trajan Langdon did what he’s done well so far for the Pistons, which is improve around the margins. Detroit should have more 3-point shooting and space, but otherwise, have the exact same problem that got them bounced from the playoffs last season. 

Who on this team other than Cade Cunningham is going to handle the ball and take clutch shots? The Pistons haven’t added a single ball handler other than rookie Ebuka Okorie, so is Detroit really counting on a rookie to be their big ball handling addition? 

Caris LeVert was bad last season, but at least he could handle the ball a bit.  

I am not one who thought the Pistons had to gut the team and make a risky superstar trade this summer, but there is no arguing that Detroit has a true number two, which is the same problem they’ve had for the last five seasons. 

The Pistons are putting all of their eggs in the internal development basket 

I am a believer in Ausar Thompson’s eventual emergence on offense, and the Pistons must be too, as they are putting a ton of faith in him to become the second ball handler and creator. 

As good as Thompson already is, and even with all of his potential, it’s a tough sell to believe the guy we watched last season is going to magically morph into a true second option on offense over the course of a few months. 

Duren (if they keep him) should make strides as well, but again, do you really think he’s suddenly going to be a second option? 

The Pistons are set up for a deadline move now with a lot of tradable contracts, but I’ve heard that song before too. 

Just like last season, this offseason has been defined by what the Pistons haven’t done, which is to get Cunningham some help, and if they aren’t careful, they are going to look up and see he’s been in the league for a decade and is still waiting. 

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