The Detroit Pistons and Jalen Duren are staring at a wide gap in extension talks, and that has opened the door to a few trade ideas that could actually make sense for both sides.
Duren’s value is easy to see on paper. After an All-NBA season made him eligible for a five-year, $287 million supermax contract, the conversation took a hit after a disastrous playoff performance. Even so, Detroit still appears to expect him back next season, especially with Paul Reed currently the only other center option on the roster.
Detroit also seems to have the upper hand. Reported talks with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings have gone nowhere, but if the Pistons do explore the market, there are a few teams that could still make a swing.
One of the cleaner fits mentioned is Sacramento. The Kings are stuck in the Western Conference basement, but they’re also building around Darius Acuff Jr, and that gives a move for Duren some appeal. A swap involving Domantas Sabonis would give Sacramento a long-term project, while Duren would bring rim finishing, rebounding, and a strong pick-and-roll presence that fits a young lead guard.
For Detroit, though, Sabonis creates a real lineup question. He is the more established player, but his style overlaps with Cade Cunningham’s.
Sabonis works more as a modern big who operates around the outside and acts as a playmaker, which is already part of Cunningham’s game. On the plus side for the Pistons, a clear sign-and-trade would leave them with Sabonis for only two years, making him a possible trade piece once his contract expires next summer.
Milwaukee is another possibility. With Giannis Antetokounmpo now basking in the Miami Heat sunshine, the Bucks on paper have arguably the weakest roster in the NBA. They also do not control their own first-round pick until 2031, and that lack of draft control, combined with flattened lottery odds, gives them little reason to tank.
Duren would help Milwaukee some, though not enough to suddenly turn them into a playoff team next season. Still, he would give them someone to build around.
A deal involving Myles Turner, who is due $26.5 million next season, and AJ Green could also make sense. For Detroit, that kind of move would bring help in both the frontcourt and backcourt, while also creating more flexibility for future trades.
Brooklyn rounds out the list. After losing Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, the Nets are thin at center and currently have only Day'Ron Sharpe as their option there. They also have little reason to tank after three straight lottery appearances and with no control of their 2027 first-round pick, which could push them toward making a move.
That would open the door for a Julius Randle-Michael Porter Jr.-Duren frontcourt. A sign-and-trade could also be built around Porter Jr., who could interest the Pistons if the pieces line up. He averaged 24.2 points on 46% shooting last season and would give Detroit another scoring option next to Cunningham.
There is still a fit question, though. Like Sabonis, Porter Jr. may not be the cleanest match with Cunningham because he likes to operate around the elbow and perimeter, even if his inside game is built on elite athleticism.
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