When the Detroit Pistons traded Jerami Grant for a 2025 first-round pick and extra cap space, the assumption was they were going to make a big run at Deandre Ayton and perhaps other big names in free agency. However, after a slam-dunk draft night in which they came away with Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren in the first round, that might not be the case anymore.

The Athletic's James Edwards III reports that instead of going after Ayton with their cap space, the Pistons now plan to split their space between multiple veterans to help out their young core:

However, while all signs have pointed to Detroit making a serious run at Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton over the last few days, that appears less likely after the Pistons walked away with two of the players highest on the organization’s big board. Per sources, Detroit is eager to continue to build back toward playoff contention with the aforementioned young core, and the Pistons are expected to use the majority of their remaining cap space to add multiple veteran pieces rather than just one big swing this offseason, per sources.

While simply drafting Ivey at No. 5 probably didn't have much of an effect on the Ayton chase, the ability to trade for Duren surely did. The Pistons were able to acquire Duren, the No. 13 pick, as part of a three-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. To do so, Detroit took on Kemba Walker's contract and sent the Knicks the 2025 pick received in the Grant trade.

With Duren on board, he's now the center of the future, making Ayton less of a priority. Yes, Ayton is a proven impact player at center, but the Pistons are confident Duren will develop into an impact player in his own right.

Perhaps Detroit still winds up going after Ayton, but it's seemingly less likely right now.