The Pistons added one player to their rebuild on Thursday, and they're eyeing another this summer: Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson.
Per ESPN's Tim McMahon, Detroit has 'serious interest' in the 25-year-old Brunson, a pending free agent who's in line for a pay day amid a breakout season, and the club will have the cap space to afford him if he hits the open market.
That's a big 'if.' The Mavericks 'remain optimistic' they can re-sign Brunson, per McMahon. But a lot can change between now and free agency.
Brunson's value is rising as it is. He's averaging career highs with 16.1 points and 5.5 assists in 54 games this season -- he dropped 21 on Detroit in a blowout win for Dallas on Tuesday -- and would give the Pistons a natural point guard to play alongside franchise cornerstone Cade Cunningham.
He's already far exceeded his draft value as a second-round pick in 2018, no huge surprise for the 2017-18 Wooden Award winner, Naismith Award winner and AP Player of the Year at Villanova. He was also a two-time national champ.
The Pistons got a jumpstart on bolstering their front court Thursday by acquiring 22-year-old center and former second overall pick Marvin Bagley III from the Kings.