Remember at the start of the summer, when Jalen Duren met with the Kings and Lakers after being underwhelmed by the Detroit Pistons' contract offers? The front office didn't take it seriously, as they didn't entertain sign-and-trade discussions—a stance they've held throughout the offseason—though they may regret not having those discussions with Los Angeles, even more so now.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Monday that Detroit offered Duren $200 million over five years, up $10 million from its latest offer, but that he turned it down. As Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reported last week, that's the kind of payday the center wanted (subscription required), but even that wasn't enough.
It raises the question of whether Duren still cares about being in Detroit. It sure doesn't seem like he does. He could have more than just one foot out the door. The Pistons have maintained that they want to keep him, but given where the mess stands now, they could've avoided this entirely by sending him to the Lakers.
Lakers spent big on a center in free agency
Hindsight is 20/20. Detroit didn't know things would look like this with Media Day around the corner, even though the signs were there that Duren wanted to leave. And considering what Los Angeles gave up for Walker Kessler, who is less of a proven player, the Pistons could at least be satisfied with what they got in return for their center.
The Lakers sent the Jazz two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps for Kessler. Like Detroit, Utah and its restricted free-agent center were far apart in negotiations, so its front office decided that letting him go for that return package was worth it.
The more that we learn about Duren and the Pistons, the more that the Jazz look better for parting ways with Kessler, and the season hasn't even started yet.
It was no secret that Los Angeles' top priority entering the offseason was landing its future center for Luka Dončić. Duren and Kessler were the top two names on the Lakers' list, and they had the cap space to submit an offer sheet to the Pistons' center, though waiting for Detroit to match it could have hurt the other moves that LA made in free agency.
The Pistons would've been criticized if they'd agreed to engage with the Lakers on a potential Duren sign-and-trade, especially this early in the summer. Even worse if they sent him to LA on the heels of his All-NBA and All-Star season. But Detroit will be screwed if he accepts his $9.6 million qualifying offer.
While the Pistons could still trade him before he reaches unrestricted free agency, they wouldn't get the return the Lakers gave up for Kessler. Holding onto Duren too tightly could be a move Detroit wishes it could undo, depending on where this all ends, and it doesn't look good.
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