Detroit Pistons listed as possible suitor in Kevin Durant sweepstakes

The Detroit Pistons are being discussed as potential suitors for future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, with pundits suggesting a trade involving young stars like Jaden Ivey. If the Pistons successfully acquire Durant, it could significantly elevate their championship odds, making them an attractive option for punters looking to capitalize on their potential performance improvement next season.

Even though the Detroit Pistons and President Trajan Langdon have repeatedly stated that they will be patient this summer, they remain a constant presence in the national media, with trade rumors including those involving future Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant. The speculation intensified this week when several national pundits named the Pistons as one of their preferred destinations for Durant.

The reality of trading for Durant is daunting, given his age and the cost of acquiring him, which would likely require the trade of at least three players or the involvement of a third team. The Phoenix Suns would likely want a couple of young players in return to secure a deal, as Durant is a no-brainer; even at 36, he remains an elite scorer.

The Slim Reaper, or the Easy Money Sniper, was selected for his 15th All-Star team during the 2024-25 season. With the Suns, the Durantula averaged 26.6 points per game, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games this season. Durant, in the last three seasons, has averaged 25 points per game on 50% shooting from the field while knocking down 40% from beyond the arc, which is the longest streak in NBA history, according to ESPN.

The catch is that Durant is in the final year of his deal, so any team that acquires him will have to offer him a new contract for the trade to be finalized. Durant is one of the greatest scorers in league history, but the Pistons clearly cannot deplete their roster for a player who will be 37 in September. However, there is a reason that their team is being mentioned in the national media.

Langdon recently expressed confidence that such a player could emerge from the group, which includes Jaden Ivey, who is coming off a gruesome injury, Jalen Duren, Ron Holland II, and Ausar Thompson, but these players are no Durant. The Pistons made an incredible jump with those guys last season, overcoming a 14-68 season to a 30-game improvement, going 44-38 to secure the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference behind head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

However, adding Durant alongside Cade Cunningham is something that can revive the old-school Detroit Bad Boys identity in the Motor City. NBA Insider Zach Lowe called Detroit a fun destination for Durant. He put out a proposed deal that would land Durant. Although it was a hypothetical idea, what Detroit is giving up doesn’t seem that bad.

Detroit Pistons receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns receive: Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, Future 1st-round pick

The Pistons were just a blown call and a couple of missed shots away from defeating the New York Knicks in their first-round series. Imagine if they had a bona fide closer in those matchups. New York made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but they were in a dogfight against the young core of the Pistons.

According to Stephen A. Smith, the Pistons are among his top five destinations for Durant during Monday’s (June 9) episode of ESPN’s First Take. Smith believes a pairing of Cunningham and Durant would be advantageous for the Pistons, which is why he doubled back on Thursday, June 12, 2025, episode of First Take, this time with Michigander Erving “Magic” Johnson as a guest.

Smith reiterated his top four potential landing spots for Durant: “In no particular order, I would say the Knicks, Miami, Houston, Detroit.” Magic responded, “Ohh, that would be wonderful.” Magic stated that Detroit needs Durant to help close out games, something they struggled with in the playoffs against the Knicks, who eliminated them in six games (4-2).

“Cunningham is still learning,” Magic said. “But you need a guy like Kevin Durant.” “Kevin Durant would make Cunningham even better,” Smith said. “So he’s not taking away from the Pistons; he’s an addition, not a subtraction.”

Adding the four-time scoring champion, 11-time All-NBA selection, two-time NBA Champion, NBA regular season Most Valuable Player, and two-time Finals MVP would be the ultimate addition.

The speculation intensified this week when several national pundits named the Detroit Pistons as one of their preferred destinations for Durant

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