The Pistons should be thinking long term if they end up exploring a Jalen Duren sign-and-trade, and that makes Alex Sarr a far cleaner target than Anthony Davis.
Washington has surfaced as a possible partner in a Duren deal, with plenty of the chatter centering on Davis. But Davis’ fit in Detroit is shaky at best, while Sarr offers the kind of age, upside and complementary skill set that makes more sense next to Cade Cunningham and the rest of the roster.
Sarr is only 21, yet he already looks like a useful modern center with room to grow. In his second NBA season, the former No. 2 overall pick averaged 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. That’s a strong base for a young big, especially one who could keep developing into something even more dangerous in Detroit’s setup.
What makes Sarr especially intriguing is that he does more than just play above the rim. Listed at 7'0", he has shown real switchability on defense and enough touch to stretch the floor.
Last season, he shot 33% from three-point range on 3 attempts per game. That kind of spacing matters, especially for a guard like Cunningham who can benefit from a center who doesn’t clog the lane.
Compared with Davis and Duren, Sarr already looks like the better shooter. He may never become the 20-point-per-game force those two have been, but he can still swing possessions by opening the floor and making life easier for Cunningham.
The catch is obvious: Washington probably won’t hand him over easily. Sarr has become a key part of the Wizards’ rebuild, and they may want to see what he looks like alongside incoming rookie AJ Dybansta before considering a move.
Detroit might have to sweeten the deal to get Washington to listen. That could mean smaller concessions, second-round picks or taking back a less desirable contract, but not a massive burden like Davis’ deal would create.
That’s the real lesson here for the Pistons. If they’re going to move on from Duren, they should be chasing a center who fits their timeline, not just grabbing a big name. Sarr checks that box far better than Davis does.
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