The Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks combined for a ridiculous trade on NBA Draft night, which sent Kemba Walker and Jalen Duren to the Motor City.
Did the Pistons just win draft night?
Honestly, it’s starting to seem that way. Detroit drafted Jaden Ivey, arguably the most high-profile guard in this draft class, with the No. 5 overall pick. Next up, they took on the contract of Kemba Walker in exchange for the rights to Jalen Duren.
What did we just witness? Well, the Hornets were technically involved, too. They gave the Knicks the draft rights to Duren in the first place in exchange for picks.
Jalen Duren trade details: Pistons
Pistons Get
Jalen Duren
Kemba Walker
Knicks Get
2025 first-round pick
Hornets Get
Ousmane Dieng
This is the three-team trade, as I know it. It’s changing by the minute though, so please give me a chance to catch my breath, Shams and Woj.
Unfortunately, this was not a deal that was broken in one bombshell tweet. Instead, Shams delivered several social media posts suggesting a move was close, and named some of the parties involved. Woj followed, but with some conflicting details.
Kemba Walker trade
Walker could negotiate a buyout with the Pistons so he could choose a new home. Detroit is still in the middle of a rebuild.
While there’s no harm in giving Walker some playing time and trading him midseason, he’s earned the right to sign with a contender, if he wants.
There’s so much more to come, folks. But the Pistons added to their pool of young talent in a big way.
Stephen A Smith and Spike Lee react to Knicks trade
Stephen A and Spike were not thrilled, to say the least.
I mean, what else is new? Would you expect anything different.
The Knicks are never, ever, in the driver’s seat when it comes to these moves. Yet, the Pistons rarely are! Losing to Detroit and Charlotte in a 3-team move is rough, to say the least.
A coup…from Detroit?
Once again, this must be a foreign language I’m not familiar with.