LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers has only sharpened the pressure on the Detroit Pistons to get Cade Cunningham some real help.
The East was already crowded, and now it looks even more unforgiving. Philadelphia added James to a group that already includes Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, giving the 76ers a lineup that is, as the source put it, “a monstrous five to deal with.” That kind of firepower changes the temperature of the conference fast.
Detroit, meanwhile, still hasn’t made the kind of trade that would give Cunningham a true co-star. That’s the part that stands out.
The Pistons were the best team in the East during the regular season last year, but the playoffs exposed the gap in their offense. Once Cunningham was taken out of the equation, they didn’t have a steady answer.
That issue hasn’t gone away. Right now, the best offensive player on the roster after Cunningham might be Isaiah Joe, which is not the sort of secondary punch a team wants when it’s trying to chase a championship. The Pistons also still need to re-sign Jalen Duren, who remains a restricted free agent, though his playoff offense was a major reason that deal has not been done yet.
Detroit did add Daniss Jenkins and John Collins in free agency, and both should help. But those moves do not change the basic reality: Cunningham is still the engine, the creator, the guy who has to make everything work.
If he doesn’t have it going, the Pistons could run into the same offensive problems they had last season.
And this time, the competition around them is even tougher. The source also notes that Kawhi Leonard should be on track to join the Toronto Raptors, Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers are healthy again, and the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and reigning champion Knicks are still in the mix. Add it all up, and the East looks like a grind from top to bottom.
James is 41, but he’s still an All-Star, and Philadelphia is now firmly in the title conversation. Detroit, by contrast, still looks like a team waiting for the move that makes the rest of the conference take it seriously.
In Other News...
Jalen Duren Just Put The Pistons In A Tough Contract Spot
LeBron James latest contract decision is a reminder of how much star players can shape a roster by taking less, and it lands at an awkward moment for Detroit as Jalen Durens extension situation comes into focus. James accepted a two-year, $8 million deal and again chose flexibility over a bigger payday, a familiar move for a player long associated with helping teams build around him rather than around his own maximum number.
Durens side of the ledger looks much trickier for the Pistons. After a disappointing playoff showing, he is reportedly pushing for a max extension, even as Detroit has every reason to be cautious about committing that kind of money right now. For a young center still trying to prove he can anchor winning basketball when the games get tighter, the gap between what he wants and what the team is willing to discuss could define the next stretch of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]
Daniss Jenkins Could Force A Tough Pistons Decision Next Season
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For Jenkins, the appeal is obvious: if his game takes a real step forward, he could make himself more than just another young piece on the roster. The Pistons would love that kind of growth on the floor, but it would also mean a tougher call when it comes time to talk about his next deal, especially with the team trying to preserve flexibility for the contracts still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Paul Reed Is Suddenly Central To A Huge Pistons Question
Paul Reed is suddenly in line for a much bigger job in Detroit after the Pistons reshuffled their frontcourt this summer, and it puts a spotlight on one of the quieter but more important roster questions heading into next season. Reed showed he could be efficient in limited playoff minutes last spring, and now the Pistons need that same energy to translate into a steadier backup center role, with his work on both ends carrying more weight than it did before.
The fit matters because Detroit wants to keep its edge in the paint while also taking a step forward in the postseason, and Reeds preparation suggests he already understands the stakes. He has also been active on social media revisiting the Pistons-Cavaliers playoff series, a sign that he is already thinking about what needs to change, even if the bigger answer to how he handles the expanded role is still to come. [Read more 🡒]