Cade Cunningham's Supporting Cast Gets a Boost: Pistons Eye 6-Time All-Star DeMar DeRozan

The Detroit Pistons are in the market for a veteran presence to support their young star Cade Cunningham. According to sources, the team is evaluating a potential pursuit of six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan.

What happened?

The Pistons had a successful 2025-26 campaign, finishing as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 60-22 record. However, their postseason dream was shattered after losing 3-4 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Semifinals.

Why it matters for Cade Cunningham

Cade Cunningham steered the Pistons' offense, averaging 23.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while clocking in 33.9 minutes per game and shooting 46.1% from the field, 34.2% from the 3-point line, and 81.3% from the charity stripe. The addition of DeRozan could provide the veteran presence Cunningham's team needs to take the next step.

What comes next?

The Pistons have made several high-stake moves this summer, sending Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, and Marcus Sasser out to clear cap space and bringing in John Collins, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris. The team recently re-signed Javonte Green to a one-year, $3.9 million deal and has now set its sights on DeRozan, who just hit the free agency market after being waived and bought out by the Sacramento Kings.

DeRozan spent two seasons with the Kings, averaging 20.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.4 rebounds over 154 games. While the 36-year-old is currently exploring his options, several teams across the league have shown interest in landing a player with such a prolific résumé.

"The Pistons are still evaluating the prospect of pursuing DeMar DeRozan in free agency, league sources say," NBA insider Marc Stein reported. It is not confirmed whether Detroit will join Toronto in bidding for DeRozan, but The Stein Line reported that the Pistons have been assessing the concept.

He noted that while the franchise sits an estimated $46 million under the luxury tax threshold, executing this move requires balancing a tight roster crunch alongside stalled extension negotiations for All-NBA star Jalen Duren and defensive standout Ausar Thompson.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren form one of the league's most dominant offensive duos and powered the team's brilliant run last season. While the Pistons hope to make a splash with their new roster, management recognizes that relying solely on youth won't get the job done.

To truly maximize Cunningham's prime, the roster needs an established, league-tested presence who can absorb pressure and deliver in clutch situations. DeRozan's addition could provide the veteran presence the Pistons need to take the next step.

The team's decision to pursue DeRozan will likely be influenced by the need to balance their roster and manage their cap space. With the addition of DeRozan, the Pistons could be looking to create a more well-rounded team that can compete with the best in the league.

The Pistons' pursuit of DeRozan is a significant development in the NBA offseason, and it will be interesting to see how the team's roster shapes up in the coming weeks.

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