The Detroit Pistons are the latest team to be linked to a potential move for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
NBA Insider Jake Fischer suggested that Detroit hasn't ruled out the possibility of a Jalen Duren sign-and-trade that could land Brown in the Motor City after contract negotiations with the team's big man have reportedly already stalled.
And while landing Brown would be a move that would give Cade Cunningham a co-star that would put the Pistons in the championship conversation, the Celtics' asking price for their former top-three pick has already reached a point that Trajan Langdon may not be willing to meet.
Celtics priced out Timberwolves offer, looking for massive haul
According to Timberwolves beat reporter Jon Krawczynski, Minnesota approached the Celtics about Brown prior to the team's decision to pivot their pursuit towards LaMelo Ball.
Boston reportedly asked the Timberwolves for a package of Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert, and similar draft compensation that was sent to Charlotte (2033 unprotected first, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks).
Adding on to that intel from Krawczynski, ESPN Insider Shams Charania revealed that in some cases, the Celtics have asked teams inquiring about Brown for at least four first-round picks.
Obviously, a deal including a 22-year-old All-NBA talent like Jalen Duren should take away some of the draft capital in a potential deal that the Celtics would be looking for in return, but to think that Boston would only be looking to land Duren in a potential deal is just wishful thinking.
For starters, only Duren's salary wouldn't get close to Brown's $57 million contract, and the C's would likely have close to zero interest in Caris LeVert or Duncan Robinson.
So what else would Detroit have to include?
The Celtics would almost certainly ask for Ausar Thompson and/or Ron Holland II, and that's simply a price tag Detroit wouldn't be willing to meet.
Pairing Brown alongside Cunningham would be a huge swing for the Pistons, and if it only costs Detroit Duren in the end, it's a move that both Detroit and the fanbase could likely justify.
However, if it came down to mortgaging their future by offloading two key members of their foundation for Brown, it's fair to say a cheaper option would likely be the preferred route.
There's also the chance that the Celtics view Duren high enough that they wouldn't ask for an Ausar Thompson, but it's safe to say that tempered expectations are suggested, considering the asking price we've heard up to this point.
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