One NBA rumor has a ripple effect that leads to others, which is the case with the Detroit Pistons and their rumored interest in Naz Reid and Myles Turner.
It was reported recently that the Pistons had interest in both floor-stretching bigs, though the reality of it is not so easy, as Detroit doesn’t have the cap space to sign either one of them, so it would require a series of moves to get it done.
That didn’t stop this one flimsy rumor from begetting another one, as Lakers fans immediately started dreaming of what might happen if the Pistons do in fact pursue one of Naz Reid or Myles Turner.
Specifically, they are wondering what this pursuit would mean for Jalen Duren.
Will Jalen Duren be on the market if the Pistons chase another big?
This rumor, coupled with Duren’s upcoming extension, have some in Lakers world thinking the young center may be available, as was speculated by our friends at Lake Show Life.
I’d pump the brakes on that idea. As I’ve laid out many times, the path to Reid or Turner is a challenging one for the Pistons even though either of them would be a nice fit. Both guys have expressed interest in staying with their current teams, and that's before you get to the money issues, so I’d classify either of them as a long shot for the Pistons in free agency.
Even if they were to chase one of them, it doesn’t mean Duren would be expendable, especially in the case of Reid, who would likely be brought in to complement Duren, not to replace him.
If the Pistons are reluctant to pay Duren long-term money and do think there’s a path to acquiring one of these players, then who knows, but the young center played well this season and is only 21 years old.
The Pistons seemed pleased with the way Duren responded in the playoffs in big minutes with Isaiah Stewart out and may have fewer reservations about paying him. In short, I think Duren is in Detroit to stay, but I’ll play along for the sake of argument.
If they did move him to the Lakers to clear a spot for a floor spacer, what could they expect?
Detroit Pistons trade rumors: Duren to the Lakers? Not crazy
It’s no secret that the Lakers want a young, athletic center that Luka Doncic can throw lobs to, as they tried to acquire one last season in Mark Williams.
The Lakers reportedly offered up Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick as a basis for the deal and that seems about right for Duren.
Again, I don’t think this is going to happen, but if the Pistons could somehow turn Jalen Duren into Reid/Turner, Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick, they’d certainly have to consider it.
There are too many moving parts to make this a likelihood, and I’d rank the chances as less than low, but if the Pistons are truly interested in a floor-spacing big, it may take sacrifices, including trading Jalen Duren.