The Detroit Pistons couldn't get the job done in the playoffs. Despite being the best team in the Eastern Conference, their lack of experience and players who could create their own shot ultimately doomed J.B. Bickerstaff's team.
As such, going after proven veterans who could score from all three levels would've been a logical move. That made Kevin Durant a no-brainer trade target, given his complex situation with the Houston Rockets.
Nevertheless, it looks like that might no longer be an option. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Rockets are actually content with Durant, and they think last year's disappointment was due to injuries and misfortune.
The Detroit Pistons may not have a shot at Kevin Durant
“I think there was some external trade interest from around the league because it wasn’t a magical season in Houston last year,” Fischer wrote. “Every word I’ve gotten out of the Rockets organization has been that they clearly felt last year was just a very bad year of injury luck… I don’t think they ever really saw making major changes this year in Houston, this offseason at least.”
The Pistons' interest in Durant may have been fading anyway. They reportedly tried to trade for him in a three-team transaction also involving Jaylen Brown, but to no avail, and there hasn't been much traction since.
Perhaps this is for the best. As good a player as Durant is, he's also been a bit of a curse for every team he's joined after leaving the Golden State Warriors. None of them has even made it to the NBA Finals, and he's left them worse than they've found them.
The Pistons did the right thing by replacing Tobias Harris with John Collins. Of course, he's not Kevin Durant, and he's not a consistent shooter, which might hurt the team's floor-spacing needs, but Durant's presence in the locker room could do more harm than good.
Even so, that shouldn't deter the Pistons from trying to upgrade their roster with a trade. There are more than enough players who could give this team the three-level offensive punch they need to get to the next level, such as Michael Porter Jr.
This team has already proven that it can get stops against the best of them. They're young, athletic, and bring unmatched energy on both ends of the floor. Of course, having their starting center be a no-show in the playoffs can also take a toll on their chances, but that's neither here nor there.
Still, with the way Durant has handled his career, it wouldn't be shocking to see him wear out his welcome at some point in the season. If that's the case, the Pistons will probably have some talks about trying to make another run at him.
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