Pistons could cash in on OKC's defeat, but the Thunder won't get carried away

The OKC Thunder were bounced from the Western Conference Finals and may have to make some moves to stay under the second apron and have a chance to beat Wembanyama and the Spurs. 

The Pistons should be waiting, as the Thunder are loaded and may have to make some tough calls if they want to keep their steady stream of young talent coming in. Not only do the Thunder have two more 1st-round picks in this draft but are already stacked with young talent in guys like Ajay Mitchell and Nikola Topic that they barely needed this season. 

The Thunder aren’t going away, but will have to trim the fat a little, which could open some opportunities for the Pistons. 

Chet Holmgren is only going somewhere in a monster deal 

Like Jalen Duren, Chet Holmgren took his lumps in the playoffs, culminating in a game seven in which he scored just four points. I’ve already seen delusional Pistons fans suggest trading Duren for Holmgren, but you can keep dreaming, as the Thunder aren’t going to give up on their guy after one bad playoff series. 

However, if Sam Presti is looking at San Antonio and seeing a team he doesn’t think his can beat without help, then we could see him use Holmgren as part of a monster trade for Giannis. 

This seems outside of OKC’s normal modus operandi, so my guess is that Holmgren isn’t going anywhere, but if he does, Detroit won’t be involved unless it is as a third team. Given that OKC does have to shed payroll, dumping a contract on a third team in such a deal could happen. 

Isaiah Hartenstein isn’t out of the question 

Teams clearly need to figure out ways to stop the giants of the Western Conference, so the Pistons may consider adding more size this offseason. Hartenstein has a team option for $28.5 million, and after the way Holmgren just played, may make bringing him back a priority. 

The Thunder have to cut $38 mill to stay out of the second apron but could renegotiate IHart’s deal. They could also opt in and trade him. The Pistons could have interest depending on how things go with Jalen Duren, and if they can’t work things out with their big man, Hartenstein could be a cheaper option if OKC makes him available. 

Kenny Hustle and Lu Dort and culture fits that will be available 

Kenrich Williams and Lu Dort are the most likely cap casualties for the Thunder, as both guys have team options, and the Thunder have younger players to replace them. 

Both of these guys would fit into the Pistons’ defensive first ethos, but Detroit needs shooting, not more junkyard dogs. We have a Kenny Hustle at home in Javonte Green, and Dort doesn’t shoot well enough to justify that price tag. 

Alex Caruso could be a cheap buy-low option 

Even though Caruso is under contract for three more seasons, the Thunder could salary dump him. He was great in the playoffs, but not so much in the regular season, when he shot just 29 percent from long range. He’s on a decent contract, but at this stage in his career, may not even be worth that. 

Caruso certainly could have helped the Pistons this year, but with three years left on his deal, Detroit may want compensation for taking on his contract. 

There’s been a lot of talk about OKC’s treacherous offseason, but unfortunately for the rest of the league, their best players likely won’t be available, and they have young talent to replace all of their veterans. 

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