Pretty much every team interviews players like that and puts up smoke screens.It doesnt really benefit detroit much. Only does if they are scared a team behind them wants to trade up and get the same player they want.
Anyways, I doubt Detroit would have went to dinner with kotka just to play mind games. They must be interested in him.
Stopping a team from thinking trading up is a good idea to cause their guy to slip is absolutely a benefit, and why a team would push a false narrative.