Recently, it was made abundantly clear just how far the Detroit Pistons are away from contending when the team they lost to in the second round, the Cleveland Cavaliers, were absolutely smoked by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Still, the Pistons have some intriguing options at their disposal this summer in order to try to get better.
One name that has come up in rumor mills is Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who put together the best season of his career this year, but recently, Pistons insider Hunter Patterson of The Athletic dumped cold water on the idea of Detroit acquiring the star.
“…I don’t think Leonard would make the most sense unless there is a guarantee the two-time Finals MVP would want to be around long term,” reported Patterson. “…he’s an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027 with full autonomy to go wherever he pleases. Neither Duren nor Thompson would be sensible to include in a deal for Leonard when he’d essentially be a rental.”
The Toronto Raptors made a similar risk by trading for a one-year rental of Leonard back in 2018, and it culminated in an NBA title, although several things had to break their way in order for that to happen.
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Patterson did, however, offer a more realistic alternative for Detroit to pursue.
“Someone like New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy, who will enter next season on the second year of his four-year, $112 million deal, could be more interesting,” he noted.
Murphy III would certainly help give the Pistons more perimeter scoring punch, which was certainly needed during their playoff run, even if he doesn't bring the elite playmaking or defense of Leonard.
Recently, it was made abundantly clear just how far the Detroit Pistons are away from contending when the team they lost to in the second round, the Cleveland Cavaliers, were absolutely smoked by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Still, the Pistons have some intriguing options at their disposal this summer in order to try to get better.