The Detroit Pistons’ season ended on a sour note and on their own home floor. They got blown out by 31 points in a Game 7 that did not look competitive beyond the first quarter.
With the second-round exit official, NBA analysts and experts offered public commentary on who can help support Cade Cunningham now that he’s locked in long-term.
Detroit Pistons Offseason: NBA World Floats Trade Targets for Cade Cunningham
The Pistons’ talent gap was laid bare in a 125-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena. The 31-point margin ranks among the worst Game 7 losses in franchise history.
Reactions from around the league came in quickly, with popular names floating around so Detroit doesn’t play it safe anymore this offseason.
NBA content creator Six Rings of Steel ran through possible targets for Detroit.
– Tyler Herro
– Austin Reaves
– Giannis Antetokounmpo
– Kawhi Leonard
– Trey Murphy
– Michael Porter Jr.
– Jaylen BrownIdc who it is, the #1 priority for Detroit this offseason is to get Cade some offensive help
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) May 18, 2026
His list included Tyler Herro, Austin Reaves, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Trey Murphy, Michael Porter Jr., and Jaylen Brown.
NBA analyst Jake Weinbach laid out the timeline pressure. “It’ll be an active summer for the Pistons. Jalen Duren is a restricted free agent, Ausar Thompson is extension-eligible, and the front office must pursue at least one splashy move to raise this team’s ceiling. Detroit’s window to build a contender around Cade Cunningham is now.”
“Pistons need to get a second option for Cade this offseason. Really think they should call about Kawhi,” one user noted.
NBA agent Nate Jones went further with his recommendations. In one tweet, he wrote, “You cannot play perimeter guys that give you nothing offensively and expect to be a legit contender.”
You cannot play perimeter guys that give you nothing offensively and expect to be a legit contender
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) May 18, 2026
In another tweet, he wrote, “Detroit gotta go get Trey Murphy and Kyrie.”
The Athletic’s Tony Jones threw out a specific name. “I don’t think there are many great landing spots for Ja Morant but I think Detroit is one of them,” he wrote.
I don’t think there are many great landing spots for Ja Morant but I think Detroit is one of them
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) May 18, 2026
“Pistons need to target Kyrie, LaVine, Booker or Kawhi this summer. You need to put another creator/scorer next to Cade and Harris,” Hoops podcast Ball Don’t Stop posted.
Pistons need to target Kyrie, LaVine, Booker or Kawhi this summer. You need to put another creator/scorer next to Cade and Harris. pic.twitter.com/0f4EJsgRGF
— Ball Don’t Stop (@balldontstop) May 18, 2026
As far as the potential names are concerned, Leonard put up a career-high 27.9 points on 50.5% shooting and nearly 39% from three in the regular season. In the final year of his three-year, $149.5 million deal, SI has already linked Detroit as a potential suitor.
A Kawhi-Cade-Ausar wing trio fixes Detroit’s scoring drought overnight.
The only catch here would be health and the Clippers’ asking price.
It’s a trickier swing with Irving since he missed all of 2025-26 rehabbing a torn ACL. The 34-year-old is owed $39.5 million next season with a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo wrote that finding trade value for a healthy Irving “likely becomes prudent if he gets back to top form.” Next to Cunningham, Irving gives Detroit the shot creation that Cleveland feasted on.
Meanwhile, among the Pistons’ many issues, Cunningham’s no-show was the biggest. He finished with 13 points, 0-of-7 from beyond the arc, and gave away 3 turnovers.
This looks extremely bad since the franchise has leaned on Cunningham all postseason to deliver, and he usually has.
But on Sunday, the Cavaliers overpowered Detroit, and Cunningham had no answers.
Detroit shot 38.1% in the first half while Cleveland shot 52.4%. By halftime, the score was 64-47.
The Pistons trailed by at least 16 the entire second half. While Duncan Robinson tried his best to cut it to 85-69 with a triple at the 3:54 mark in the third, Cleveland answered with a 10-0 run, increasing the deficit and eventually taking the win.
Now, the Pistons will spend the summer preparing for the NBA draft, while the Cavaliers head to the conference finals to play against the New York Knicks.
