The NBA rumor mill has a new favorite headline, and it involves Kevin Durant wearing a Pistons jersey. Not exactly the first team that jumps to mind when you think of championship contenders, but Detroit is apparently serious about making it happen.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Pistons have been quietly working behind the scenes to figure out a way to land Durant. League sources told Siegel that Detroit was dead set on finding a path to bring the future Hall of Famer to Motown, even if nothing materialized in recent trade talks.
How close did they actually get?
The whole thing started with a three-team idea involving the Celtics, Pistons, and Rockets. That one fell apart before it ever got off the ground. Brief conversations with Houston went nowhere too. But here’s the part that keeps this story alive: Durant reportedly has real interest in playing alongside Cade Cunningham.
Durant has been praising Cunningham for a while now. He’s called him a “special talent” on the record multiple times and clearly respects the young guard’s game. That kind of mutual admiration doesn’t happen by accident, and it’s probably why the Pistons feel like they have a shot.
What’s the holdup?
Houston still hasn’t made up its mind about Durant’s long-term fit. But sources say the Rockets don’t view him as untouchable. That’s a big deal. If they decide to move on, especially after the whole burner account thing resurfaced and created some awkward tension, Durant could become available sooner than people think.
The Pistons have a clear need too. Tobias Harris left for San Antonio, leaving a hole at the forward spot. Durant would fill that hole and then some. He’d also give Detroit a legitimate star to pair with Cunningham, which is something the franchise hasn’t had since the Chauncey Billups days.
Whether this actually happens depends on Houston. But if the Rockets put Durant on the block, Detroit is lining up to be first in line.
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