The Jalen Duren saga took another twist last night when it was reported that the 22-year-old center had turned down a Pistons offer worth $200 million over five seasons.
The Pistons have already reportedly raised their offer at least twice, but Duren wanted $40+ million per season, an offer that is now seemingly on the table.
If that’s not enough for Duren, then I have two words: Kick rocks.
The idea that this offer is “disrespectful” is actually disrespectful to everyone in the world who works for a living and could never dream of that kind of money. All the nurses, care givers and teachers are crying for you, Jalen.
The Pistons have less than a week before training camp starts, so any trade made now would be the emergency variety, but the Pistons may not have another choice, and they should have options.
The Pistons trade Jalen Duren to the Bucks for a package based around Myles Turner
This is the most popular trade at the moment, as the Bucks have reportedly shown interest in Duren either now or next summer as a free agent.
Myles Turner would be a fit on paper and makes way less than Duren, so that part works, but the sticker is what else Milwaukee is willing to throw in. Could the Pistons get Tyler Herro if they threw in Duncan Robinson?
Could they expect the Bucks to toss in Ryan Rollins and a pick? AJ Green? This one would come down to what Milwaukee was using to sweeten the deal, but I don’t hate the idea of Cade Cunningham with a stretch five who actually protects the rim.
The Pistons trade Jalen Duren to the Kings for Domantas Sabonis
This idea appeals less simply because Sabonis is a bad defender who is coming off a serious injury. He’s also got big money left on his deal, so the Kings would have to sweeten this significantly to make it palatable for Detroit, and I am not sure they would do that.
This is probably my least favorite option, though I do like the idea of exiling Duren to Sacramento. Have fun!
The Clippers are a team to watch for Jalen Duren
The Clippers would probably love to add a 22-year-old All-NBA talent considering they don’t have any draft picks for the next half decade.
Either Darius Garland or Brandon Ingram would work money and talent-wise, but it would leave the Pistons with just Paul Reed at center for next season, which isn’t ideal. Detroit would then have to try and find a third center with a month to go before the season starts.
I’m sure the Clippers would toss in Brook Lopez, but that’s a big dropoff in talent.
Have I mentioned that the Pistons are screwed yet?
The Hornets are a wild card for Jalen Duren
Charlotte is another team we’ve heard rumblings about regarding Duren, and they do have some interesting players.
If the Pistons could get their hands on Naz Reid or Moussa Diabate and maybe one of their shooters (Grayson Allen), that could work for Detroit, who almost has to get a center back in the deal.
This is not an ideal situation for Detroit, and that is putting it nicely. Another way to say it is that they are now left scrambling to either drastically overpay an unhappy player in Duren or trade him without losing on the deal. I don’t envy Trajan Langdon.
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