If the Detroit Pistons playoff disaster told the team anything, it's that Jalen Duren may not be the running mate to help Cade Cunningham get the team over the hump.
Fortunately for the Motor City squad, there's an answer to their frontcourt problem that may be hiding in the nation's capital.
That answer happens to go by the name Anthony Davis, a future Hall of Fame big man, who makes too much sense for the Pistons not to target.
Anthony Davis would answer several Pistons concerns
Davis has long been considered one of the most versatile big men in the league since being drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2012.
The Kentucky product is one of the most dominant two-way players in the league, a versatile rim protector on the defensive end while consistently proving to be an offensive nightmare for opposing teams to defend.
Not only would Davis be the perfect running mate to Cunningham, considering his offensive upside, but what he offers as a defensive anchor in the frontcourt alongside the likes of Ausar Thompson would be the ideal type of playmaker to fit the way defensive-minded coach J.B. Bickerstaff likes his team to play.
Obviously, the 33-year-old comes with a bit of a risk considering his injury history, especially considering any move to acquire the near 7-footer would come at the expense of a 22-year-old who's fresh off an All-NBA caliber season.
Still, sometimes taking a risk is well worth the reward, especially if Davis helps Detroit finally get over the hump in the Eastern Conference to contend for an NBA championship.
The real questions at hand, though, is if either team would consider this type of frontcourt swap?
For the Pistons, it makes sense. The team is clearly in the midst of a contending window, and if they deem this move one that gets them one step closer, it's a no-brainer.
As for the Wizards, why wouldn't they make this move?
Wizards should jump at the chance to land Jalen Duren
The Wizards took a swing to acquire Anthony Davis ahead of the NBA trade deadline, one that took everyone by surprise, including AD.
Washington hoped that a duo of Davis and Trae Young would help the team to get back into contention in the Eastern Conference, and while that remains a possibility, there's no guarenteeing a full 360 is possible for the lottery team.
Davis has already made it clear he wants to contend and if the opportunity presented itself to do so in Detroit, you'd have to think he'd be open to a move.
For the Wizards, the chance to land a 22-year-old talent like Duren would be ideal.
Maximizing their trade for Davis by using him to land Duren would give them a big man who closely fits the timeline of their young squad.
Not to mention, it would give the Wizards the chance to have Alex Sarr play at the power forward position, which the team already suggested they see as his best fit.
Add us as a preferred source on Google