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Pistons Still Need A Clear Second Creator Around Cade Cunningham

NBA player finishing near the basket during a game
Summary

Detroit has added pieces this offseason, but the roster still looks short on a reliable second ball-handler next to Cade Cunningham.

The Pistons' offseason is starting to feel like a test of patience.

Detroit is coming off a strong season built around Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, but the roster question that showed up in the playoffs has not gone away. Who takes creation pressure off Cunningham when defenses load up?

A Reddit discussion on r/nba framed the concern bluntly. Detroit added Isaiah Joe and John Collins, but those moves do more for shooting and frontcourt balance than for the second-handler problem. Collins agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal, while Tobias Harris left for San Antonio on a two-year, $31 million contract.

Duren's situation adds another layer. He is a restricted free agent, so Detroit has control, but reports around Sacramento interest and possible sign-and-trade ideas keep the summer from feeling settled.

The frustration makes sense. Every playoff team saw how hard it is to survive with one primary creator, which also makes secondary ball-handlers expensive.

Detroit does not need a panic trade. It does need one more player who can bend a defense when Cade sits or gets trapped. That is the pressure on the front office now.

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