After finishing the regular season with a 44-38 record, the Detroit Pistons secured a spot in the playoffs for the first time in six years. Their return to the postseason brought hope to the base. But that excitement was short-lived. The Pistons were eliminated in the first round after a 4-2 series loss to the New York Knicks.
Despite the Knicks advancing, former Pistons forward John Salley isn’t convinced the outcome was fair. During a conversation on Vlad TV, Salley expressed his belief that the series was manipulated.
“They cheated the Pistons. And we had to deal with that in Detroit, knowing that it was an unbelievable blatant foul, and the referees the next day say, ‘We’re sorry we missed it.’ Right there, I became a conspiracy theorist, believing it was fixed,” Salley said.
Salley’s frustration stems from a pivotal moment in Game 4 of the series that could have given the Pistons a 3-1 lead. Instead, a controversial non-call helped the Knicks seize momentum.
During a crucial play, Josh Hart made clear contact with Tim Hardaway Jr., but the officials did not call a foul. The Pistons protested the decision, and later the NBA admitted the error. After the game, the league confirmed that Hart made contact with Hardaway Jr., but it went unnoticed by the referees in real time.
Kevin Durant Trade Rumors Leave Pistons Off The Radar
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Durant is expected to move on from the Phoenix Suns this offseason. As speculation around Durant’s future heats up, recent reports have revealed the Detroit Pistons are not part of his plans.
Durant has reportedly narrowed down his preferred trade destinations. According to The Athletic, KD has his eyes set on either the San Antonio Spurs or the Houston Rockets.
While early chatter hinted that Durant could land in Detroit, those rumors now seem unfounded. With Durant’s updated preferences revealed, the Pistons are effectively out of the running.
