It’s no secret that the Phoenix Suns are trying to trade Kevin Durant, and the Detroit Pistons have been named as a possible destination.
I have to admit, the idea of Kevin Durant, who has long been one of my favorite players to watch, playing for my favorite team does have some appeal in the abstract. The reality of it when it comes to his age and contract are a different story.
I’ve written about that reality and named Durant as one of the available stars the Pistons should avoid. There are also other teams that could theoretically offer more for Durant (San Antonio, Houston), so he’s a long shot for many reasons, not the least of which has been Trajan Langdon has indicated he will exercise patience.
But speculation won’t die until Durant is traded, and it was stoked up again recently by talking head Stephen A. Smith, who named the Pistons as one of his top potential destinations for Durant. Given the source, I wouldn’t put any stock in it, as he’s just talking, not making predictions or offering insider information.
For the record, I do not think Kevin Durant is getting traded to Detroit but given that the asking price has been significantly lowered after Phoenix wasn’t finding any takers, it’s at least worth discussion.
Detroit Pistons rumors: A Kevin Durant trade can’t gut the young core
It would take three players to match salaries for Durant, and if the Suns wanted more than one of the young guys, I’d hang up the phone, as it’s not worth gutting a promising young team for a 36-year-old coming off injury no matter how good he is.
That has the stink of a Blake Griffin trade, and the Pistons should want no part of it.
I am also hanging up the phone if the words “Ausar Thompson” are uttered at any point.
But if you tell me the Pistons can turn Tobias Harris, Simone Fontecchio, Jaden Ivey and a first-round pick into Kevin Durant, I am officially listening.
The Pistons would still have paths to re-signing Malik Beasley and adding some minimum depth and/or hoping someone like Bobi Klintman can step into a role in the rotation.
Giving up Ivey would hurt, but are the Pistons going to be able to keep all of these young players?
In the end, I think they will and probably should, as depth matters for long-term team building, but if the goal is to win titles a lineup of Cade, Beasley, Ausar, Durant and Duren gives you a chance to do that, at least for a year.
The risks are huge and obvious, as are the potential rewards, so it comes down to how you value these things.
I think the Pistons will prioritize depth and growth and hope they can find that second star in house, but if the price is right for Durant, it wouldn’t be an easy call.