The Pistons and Jalen Duren are at such a contentious crossroads that it might be worth considering a sign-and-trade to another team willing to pay Duren more. However, any move to trade Duren away could raise its own problems with the Pistons depth chart, so an important addition will have to come in the form of another move to bring in a different, cheaper starting center. If the Pistons can swap out Duren for a reliable secondary scorer and add another center elsewhere, they could retool very effectively for next season.
Duren is currently slotted to fill a big hole for the Pistons
As it stands, Detroit only has one other center on the roster with meaningful NBA experience: Paul Reed. And Reed has not often been a starter throughout his NBA career, so thrusting him into a bigger role comes with its own risks. However, Duren is gearing up to force the Pistons' hand as they try to avoid financial handcuffs from overpaying him.
Duren should still have some trade value around the league for rebuilding teams as a 22-year-old coming off his first All-Star and All-NBA selections. He was genuinely one of the best centers in the league last year during the regular season, even if it fell apart in the playoffs. On a young team without playoff ambitions any time soon, he could be a centerpiece of a rebuild.
The name that makes the most sense is the Pelicans, but they don't have a quality starting center to send back to the Pistons. Their best option there is Yves Missi, who arguably isn't even better than Reed in a playoff setting. Shipping Duren to New Orleans can't happen without ensuring another center is attainable elsewhere to bolster the Pistons' depth at the position.
Myles Turner and other options are available for trade
If the Pistons went that route, Myles Turner is perhaps the most intriguing option. He's clearly a bad timeline fit now for the Bucks after they traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to begin a rebuild. But Turner still offers solid play from the center position for a contender and was just a starter on a Finals team two seasons ago.
In fact, Turner's relative strengths and weaknesses could be a great fit in Detroit. He's a potent shooter from three-point range, especially for a center. Last season, he shot 38% from downtown on 5.4 attempts per game. And Turner still has some defensive chops as a former blocks champion who should only look better on that end for the Pistons.
He's got his flaws, most notably a weak interior presence and rebounding. But the Pistons have plus rebounders at nearly every other position in the starting lineup, including incoming power forward John Collins. Even with Turner being a little weak on the glass, the Pistons should be able to manage well enough to end defensive possessions.
There are also other centers of Turner's caliber available for trade around the league at the right price, such as Daniel Gafford in Dallas or possibly Jarrett Allen in Cleveland. The point remains that there are ways to replace Duren if the Pistons really feel the need to trade him, but they should secure his replacement first.
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