Man, the Detroit Pistons went BIG game hunting this summer, trying to seriously upgrade around Cade Cunningham. We’re talking Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard big! ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill dropped the scoop, detailing how the Pistons were sniffing around these future Hall of Famers before they finally got Jalen Duren’s contract sorted out. They clearly wanted to add a superstar, a move that would immediately tell the league they were serious about making a deeper run.
The Big Swings That Missed
So, what happened with those superstar dreams? Well, it sounds like Detroit’s attempts never really got off the ground. The word from Goodwill is that Kawhi Leonard “wasn’t interested” in lacing up for the Pistons. Ouch, that’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re trying to build a contender. And on the Kevin Durant front? The Houston Rockets, KD’s squad, simply “weren’t willing to engage” in trade talks. You gotta respect Detroit for swinging for the fences, but sometimes those big bats just don’t connect. It’s a bummer, especially since Durant himself has praised Cunningham, calling him a “special” talent. Imagine that pairing, huh?
Duren’s $200 Million Commitment and Playoff Questions
Even without KD or Kawhi, Detroit still had a massive piece of business to handle: Jalen Duren. Last season, Cunningham led the Pistons to a crazy 60 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. But then the playoffs hit. They scraped through the first two rounds only to get bounced by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals. That loss opened up some serious questions about the supporting cast around Cunningham, and Duren, believe it or not, was a “biggest question mark.” The guy was a beast in the regular season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest in 70 starts, even earning an All-NBA third team spot. But in 14 postseason starts? His numbers dipped to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. That slump led to a prolonged contract negotiation, but it’s finally done. Duren just agreed to a five-year, $200 million deal on Monday.
This new contract ensures Duren, who’s still only 22, and Cunningham are locked in as the primary pieces for Detroit. They’re going to account for over $90 million in salary over each of the next four seasons. It’s a massive commitment, a clear signal they believe in this young core.
It makes you wonder, right? What if KD or Kawhi *had* landed in Detroit? But that’s all ‘what if’ talk now. Duren’s deal sets the path. This Cunningham and Duren core, they’re the future Detroit is banking $200 million on. Can they elevate from conference semis? That’s the question staring the Pistons right in the face as this season kicks off. Get ready to watch them try.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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