The Detroit Pistons are still figuring things out. Trajan Langdon is in year one running the basketball operations. They have a new coach and a renewed focus on player development. Cade Cunningham is breaking out, but the Pistons must decide who to keep long-term. More trades are coming, and the franchise’s biggest question mark may be at the five.
Jalen Duren’s minutes and production are down in year three. The 21-year-old is putting up numbers, but the Pistons have a negative-7.8 net rating with him on the floor. That is the fourth-worst mark on the team. Fans are growing frustrated with his faults and may be time to give up on the former lottery pick.
Duren does not stretch the floor and turns the ball over too much. A change of scenery may be positive for his development and several teams would have interest in buying low. Several 2025 draft prospects are older than the current Pistons starter. One team looking for an injection of youth makes perfect sense if Detroit makes him available.
The Lakers would be obvious landing spot for Jalen Duren
It is no secret that Anthony Davis prefers to play the four next to a traditional big man. The Lakers are looking for a center with Jaxson Hayes currently their best option behind AD. LA is 27th in rebounds per game and 25th in rebound percentage this season. Getting a big man to set screens and clean the glass would help, especially in the regular season.
General manager Rob Pelinka has been hesitant to part with draft capital in recent transaction cycles. LeBron James turns 40 in December, and there are zero guarantees the Lakers remain in contention without one of the all-time greats. Pelinka has to balance maximizing the now without plummeting the franchise's future.
Duren is the perfect target because his rebounding and play-finishing would help immediately, and the 21-year-old is years away from his prime. The Lakers would not have to fret about losing the draft capital because they would still have a starting-caliber center to show for it.
The Lakers have rumored interest in Jonas Valanciunas, Walker Kessler, and Robert Williams III. Duren is younger and of a similar mold to Walker Kessler. If Danny Ainge’s price is too high in Utah, Los Angeles could be calling Detroit in hopes of finding their long-term piece at the five.
The Pistons have depth inside. Isaiah Stewart is eager for more minutes and has significant upside. Jalen Duren is a former lottery pick from a different general manager. If things are not working, the Pistons should move on and keep building around Cade Cunningham. Dumping Duren would give Beef Stew more opportunities and may help the franchise long-term.
The Detroit Pistons are not ready to trade him yet but expect Langdon and the front office to be active before the Feb. 6 deadline. They can get more draft capital by using their cap space and may even trade some pieces to improve the fits around their star.