It has been an offseason of change for the Detroit Pistons, albeit one GM Trajan Langdon wasn't particularly planning on. The team had to pivot quickly off Malik Beasley once the veteran sharpshooter was hit with the gambling investigation. Detroit added Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson while losing Beasley, Dennis Schröder, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Simone Fontecchio.
Whether this has been an upgrade or a downgrade for the Pistons remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Langdon has to continue to try to add to the roster.
The most obvious need is in the forward rotation. Tobias Harris is under contract for only one more season, and he doesn't even have a reliable backup for him on the current roster.
Jonathan Kuminga Still Available for the Pistons After Latest Report
That is why the Jonathan Kuminga saga in Golden State presents an excellent opportunity for the Pistons. According to the latest reporting by NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors' best offer for Kuminga was a two-year, $40 million deal.
If that is in fact the case, the Pistons should waste no time before swooping in. Detroit can beat that offer while still keeping financial flexibility going forward.
The tricky part in this scenario is the fact that it will have to be a sign-and-trade with the Warriors. Kuminga is a restricted free agent, and the Warriors will need an incentive (likely a protected first-round pick) from the Pistons to not match their offer for the 22-year-old. Matching salary, probably in the form of Isaiah Stewart or Tobias Harris, would also be needed.
Kuminga has had an up-and-down start to his NBA career, to be sure. He has shown flashes of what he can be on both ends of the floor, but hasn't been able to put it together enough to earn head coach Steve Kerr's full trust. His jump shot has been inconsistent, but his athleticism is still elite. He can defend multiple positions and guard on the ball on one end of the floor while being able to create shots for himself and others on the other.
The fact that Kuminga fits Detroit's timeline and can grow with this group makes him an even better fit than he already is. Thanks to his upside and age, he should be tradable going forward, even if things don't work out in Detroit in the immediate future, making him worthy of pursuing for the Pistons.