The Detroit Pistons reportedly explored adding a superstar alongside Cade Cunningham, targeting Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard this offseason.
The Detroit Pistons reportedly explored making a major splash around Cade Cunningham this offseason, with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard all appearing on their list of star targets.
Position
SF, SG
Age
35
Height
198 cm
Weight
102 kg
Birth place
Riverside, United States of America
ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel revealed on the Clutch Scoops podcast that Detroit went as far as directly contacting the Houston Rockets about a potential Durant trade.
“There were conversations this offseason about that where the Detroit Pistons reached out to the Rockets and said, ‘We are interested in trading for Kevin Durant,'” Siegel said. “And Houston wasn’t having any of that.”
According to Siegel, Detroit’s interest was part of a broader attempt to add another established star alongside franchise cornerstone Cunningham.
“The Pistons really wanted to pursue KD and take a big swing,” Siegel explained. “Whether it was him, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, those were all guys on their list for the Pistons this offseason to try to pair him with Cade Cunningham.”
Credit Getty Images via AFP – Scanpix
Durant interest could resurface
Houston ultimately showed no interest in Detroit’s approach for Durant, but Siegel does not expect suitors for the veteran star to disappear if his long-term future with the Rockets becomes uncertain.
“I don’t think that those conversations, and I don’t think that other teams that are interested in Kevin Durant, are going to be going anywhere anytime soon,” Siegel noted.
Durant is not currently locked into a contract extension beyond his existing deal.
He is under contract for the 2026-27 season and will earn $43.9 million as part of his two-year, $90 million deal. KD also holds a $46.1 million player option for 2027-28.
“I think that if he becomes available at any point, which I don’t believe that to happen in the middle of the season, but when we look ahead to next offseason, if he doesn’t want to sign a long-term extension with Houston, those suitors will still be there,” Siegel added. “And there’s going to be a ton of interest in a player like Kevin Durant.”
Durant, 37, averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists for Houston last season.
The Pistons, meanwhile, finished the 2025-26 regular season with an Eastern Conference-best 60-22 record. Detroit eventually reached the conference semifinals before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.
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