The Detroit Pistons were the best team in the Eastern Conference this season, at least during the regular season. Ultimately, their lack of experience and shooting cost them in the second round of the playoffs.
However, teams don't just win 60 games in a season by mere luck. This team is well-built, and while they could certainly use some floor-spacers and other guys who can create their own shot, they shouldn't be in a hurry or make desperate moves.
According to ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel, that's exactly what they might do. Per his latest report, they tried to get Kevin Durant in a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. That didn't happen, but unfortunately, they might still want to get him:
"Teams have called the Rockets this offseason to check in on not only Sengun but Kevin Durant as well. Among those who had inquired about Durant, the Detroit Pistons stand out and attempted to forge a multi-team deal with the Celtics and Rockets, sources said," Siegel wrote.
The Detroit Pistons shouldn't want anything to do with Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, one of the greatest players and scorers of all time, and the ultimate plug-and-play guy. Basketball-wise, he'd be a seamless fit for every team, and he'd solve the Pitsons' biggest needs on paper. He's experienced and a three-level scorer.
In reality, that's not how things work. Durant has had zero success since leaving the Golden State Warriors, and he's left every team worse than he found them. The Pistons would have to give up valuable assets for a rental on an aging player who missed time with an injury at the most important part of the season.
Durant has a history of burning bridges. He's silent-quit on his teams, and he's even been caught trashing his own teammates on social media twice -- including last season. That's not the type of energy you want around young players.
He seemingly elevated the Rockets' ceiling last season, but to no avail. He wasn't available when it mattered the most, and he didn't help their young players develop. That's a mistake the Pistons simply can't afford to make.
Durant is a great player, and he'd make any team better in the regular season, but what about when things get tough? He makes the headlines more for his demeanor and picking up fights with fans online than for helping the team get over the hump. Then, as soon as he can, he leaves for pennies on the dollar.
The Pistons are building a contending team the right way. They have young and up-and-coming stars who play with a competitive fire, and all young teams need to go through some growing pains to get over the hump.
This season brought some heartbreak but also plenty of hope. There's no need to rush the timeline by making the same mistake the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets have all made. Let him be someone else's problem.
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