Pistons predicted to trade for $90M two-time NBA champion, MVP to pair with Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons were disappointed last season after being eliminated from the NBA Playoffs despite finishing as the top team in the Eastern Conference. Now, they are hoping to make a major splash this offseason and continue building around their young core.

Free agency did not get off to the best start for Detroit, as the team lost veteran forward Tobias Harris to the San Antonio Spurs.

“Free agent forward Tobias Harris has agreed to a two-year, $31 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday. Harris, 33, is leaving the Detroit Pistons after helping lead a franchise turnaround over the past two seasons,” ESPN wrote.

The Pistons could look to the trade market for a star-level player to pair alongside Cade Cunningham. Sports Illustrated’s Gray Deyo believes Detroit could make a move for Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant.

“Last season, alongside Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris played the role of Detroit’s SF. Harris recently signed a two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs. He had a great 2025-2026 season, averaging 13.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 2.5 APG. While Harris was by no means bad, the Pistons, who got knocked out in the second round of the playoffs in a rapidly improving Eastern Conference, should be looking to move the needle on their roster. The addition of Durant would do just that. Detroit is also a team with the draft capital and players to make an offer the Rockets would at least have to think about for Durant,” Deyo wrote.

Durant is not considered untouchable in trade discussions, and there have even been reports that he has interest in teaming up with Cunningham.

“Two league sources with knowledge of the situation told ClutchPoints that the Pistons were set on figuring out a path to land Durant, but nothing ever materialized in this three-team idea, nor did anything appear possible in brief discussions with only Houston. Perhaps the greatest detail to emerge from all of these rumors is that Durant has interest in playing alongside Pistons star Cade Cunningham, sources said,” NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote.

The Pistons would instantly create one of the league’s most exciting duos with Durant and Cunningham. If Detroit is also able to continue adding talent around them, including young center Jalen Duren, the team could become a serious threat in the Eastern Conference.

Durant is currently on a $90 million contract with the Rockets, meaning Detroit would not be taking on an impossible financial burden. A trade of this magnitude would make the Eastern Conference even more competitive next season.

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