The Detroit Pistons failed to get involved in the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster, but it may have led them to the perfect offseason opportunity even without doing so.
According to ESPN's NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics are now listening to offers for Jaylen Brown after the team's failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo opened a door that not many expected this summer.
Fresh off an All-NBA season, leading a non-playoff team to the No. 2 seed in the East, Brown proved to be one of the top players in the league.
Despite that, the Celtics have seemingly made it clear that even after Brown's career year, this is still Jayson Tatum's team, and that, mixed with the fact that Boston included the star forward in an offer to upgrade their roster for the second time in four years, the writing is on the wall for an eventual split.
For the Pistons, who are looking for the perfect opportunity to find Cade Cunningham a viable running mate, the fallout of the Celtics botched efforts to land the Greek Freak may have presented them with the trade they've been waiting for.
Jaylen Brown would be the perfect co-star to Cade Cunningham
Brown's monster season, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 47.7% shooting from field goal range and 34.7% from three, proved just how dangerous he can be as a top option on offense.
Obviously, Cunningham would still be the franchise guy in the Motor City if Detroit found a way to land Brown, but considering the superstar guard is much more than just a score-first playmaker, adding an option like JB would immediately give J.B. Bickerstaff's squad another option that can put pressure on opposing defenses.
At 29, Brown is still in the midst of his prime, and he's one of the more reliable superstars in the league, playing in 60+ games in each of the last five seasons.
Finding the value to entice the Celtics in moving on from their former top-three pick will be the hard part, especially considering Charania said the C's are listening to offers for Brown but not actively shopping him.
Perhaps a third team could get involved, and Detroit could send out enough salary to just absorb Brown's contract, along with draft compensation to help satisfy Boston's asking price.
A move for Brown isn't exactly likely based on his current value, but if the Pistons managed to get creative, his two-way presence and age would make him the perfect win-now swing to pair alongside Cunningham.
Regardless of what happens, it feels almost certain that Detroit will be aggressive in seeking a move or two that can upgrade the roster this offseason.
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