The Pistons pursued Ayo Dosunmu at the trade deadline, but the asking price was too high, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports. The Timberwolves gave up young guard Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to the Bulls in exchange for Dosunmu and Julian Phillips. Dosunmu is headed to unrestricted free agency, which factored into Detroit’s thinking about not overpaying for the talented guard.
Patterson addressed a number of other topics in his mailbag article, including Jalen Duren‘s restricted free agency and potential trade targets for Detroit this summer.
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Despite his offensive limitations, Ausar Thompson is an irreplaceable core player as he becomes eligible for a rookie scale extension, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press writes. The Defensive Player of the Year finalist could command a contract similar to the one the Magic’s Jalen Suggs received, Sankofa continues. Suggs signed a five-year deal worth $150.5MM before the start of the 2024/25 season. ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently predicted a five-year extension worth $162MM for Thompson, given his ability to guard anyone on the floor. The front office is hopeful of getting both Duren and Thompson signed this offseason.
- Cade Cunningham‘s strong finish after suffering a collapsed lung late in the regular season added to his superstar trajectory, Sankofa writes for The Free Press. Cunningham averaged 28.1 points, 7.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 40.2% from three during the playoffs. Cunningham was named to the All-NBA First Team. He could meet the super-max (ie. Designated Veteran) criteria if he earns All-NBA honors again in 2027. That would make him eligible for a maximum-salary extension worth up to 35% of the cap instead of 30% on his next contract.
- The Pistons hosted Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie for a pre-draft workout on Wednesday, Patterson tweets. Detroit has the No. 21 overall pick but nothing in the second round, unless it makes a trade. Okorie could be a consideration at that spot — he’s currently ranked No. 27 on ESPN’s Best Available list. Okorie averaged 23.2 points per game in his one-and-done season with the Cardinal.
Why would the pistons draft a PG?
Someone else to handle the ball other than Cade.
someone besides Jenkins? The kid looked good to me considering it was his second season.
Marcus Sasser has also looked good occasionally
I think the pistons would be really smart if they traded Ron Holland and filler like Reed for Cameron Johnson
Move Ausar to SG and Cam comes in at SF. Cam is good 3 and D forward who definitely makes this team better. Let Hunter walk in FA and resign Tobias on a cheaper contract
Cam Johnson might work as a longer term fit at the 3/4, but disagree on one thing: Reed isn’t just filler, despite his regular season minutes. He was big in the playoffs the last two years and a bargain on his contract.
Cam Johnson played basketball this season? That is funny, I don’t remember ever seeing him. /s
Cam Johnson is an ideal upgrade at SF, although I don’t see a way of getting Denver to part with him for less than Holland, Jenkins & two firsts, plus a Duren sign and trade, taking back Gordon (and later trading), if Denver thought it an upgrade getting younger & healthier at PF. I’d be ecstatic with that package as a Pistons fan, Cam has a brighter career peak coming than Duren imo, albeit at SF.
I also agree with Fig, keep Reed & play him heavier minutes.
I love the idea of the Pistons prioritizing Ayo in FA, who in my eyes is the most undervalued Guard in the NBA. His shooting %’s (.517/.439/.915) are elite, especially considering he can be both a primary ball handler and a lockdown defender against opposing lead guards. A backcourt trio of Ayo-Cade-Ausar would represent a near league best defensive unit. And there would never be a doubt about Ayo’s heart, effort, will to win or character, which are all elite traits.
Outbidding CHI & MIN for Ayo; adding Cam Johnson & Gordon; and letting Huerter & Harris walk would be, imo, a major advance towards a championship roster. Drafting Jayden Quaintance at #21 would complement these moves well.
Too bad its delusional.
There is nearly zero chance he leaves Minnesota as thry prioritize him and have bird rights and can give him more than anyone else.
Wolves will likely try to retain Dosunmu but they are against the second apron. They don’t have infinite flexibility.
You do realize that they got under the FIRST apron at the trade deadline? They will go over the first apron with an Ayo deal, but will not be over thr second apron. They are not against the second apron at all.
Might wanna look that up again. Trading Conely and getting him back on the vet min got them under the first apron.
Currently 16.8 under the first apron and 30+ under the second, and Ayo isn’t coming close to 20+ much less 30+.
Ayo will get $30M/year offers
You are delusional. Reports all over is he is going to get just north of the MLE, which the Wolves can give.
What are you smoking
Wolves have Ayo’s Bird Rights. He isn’t going anywhere, but nice try.
I actually don’t think they have to offer that much for Cam Johnson.
Denver is desperate to clear cap space to resign Watson.
I would offer them Sasser and upgrade to Sasser and a 2nd round pick if they balk.
Exactly they are desperate to save money