The Detroit Pistons' offseason hasn't exactly been a dud, but it hasn't brought the fireworks that anybody expected up to this point.
Detroit's lack of splashes this summer can be blamed on plenty of reasons, but arguably the biggest elephant in the room is the uncertainty surrounding Jalen Duren's future in the Motor City.
The Pistons prefer not to lose their All-NBA big man in free agency, but with the gap in contract negotiations mixed with his determination to force a sign-and-trade unless Detroit ups their offer put Trajan Langdon in a tough spot to make any big moves until the Duren situation is sorted out.
Detroit has spent plenty of time navigating potential avenues to bring back Duren and fend off interested teams in free agency, but the time they've spent negotiating with their own restricted free agent has taken away from the time they really should be investing in discussing a potential deal with another RFA.
Pistons would be the perfect landing spot for Peyton Watson
Peyton Watson may be one of the most intriguing names still on the board at this point of the offseason.
The 23-year-old is fresh off a career year, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 49.1% shooting from the field and 41.1% from three.
As a third option for the Denver Nuggets, Watson wasn't asked to do a whole lot, which is exactly why his emergence on offense opened plenty of eyes around the league.
Not only did the former first-round pick prove to be a legitimate two-way player, but his offensive leap this past season as arguably the third or fourth option for Denver has offered a legit perception around the league that in a system that offers Watson a larger opportunity, he has star potential.
Denver entered the offseason determined to retain their restricted free agent, but with the recent report from The Athletic's Sam Amick that the Nuggets are now open to potential sign-and-trades for the 6-foot-8 guard, it opens a pathway that the Pistons should at least explore.
Watson is not only an ideal fit next to Cunningham with his two-way upside, but Detroit would offer the playmaker an opportunity to immediately step into an offensive scheme that could accentuate his skillset and give him the chance to prove capable of being a second option to an MVP candidate.
Not to mention, his age would offer the Pistons a long-term solution alongside Cunningham in a market that is quickly drying up around the league.
Any deal would obviously include Detroit sending salary out, and it would force Langdon and the Pistons' front office to get creative given the complications that acquiring a restricted free agent poses, but if they could get a deal done, it would be well worth the reward.
The Pistons have already expressed interest in Trey Murphy III, and while Watson isn't the same player, he's a similar target that could immediately upgrade the roster surrounding Cunningham.
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