Somehow, someway, the Wizards have emerged as a potential sign-and-trade suitor for Jalen Duren, with most speculating a trade package centered around Anthony Davis. However, Davis' trade appeal for the Pistons is questionable at best and Washington has another center who would be a much better acquisition in Alex Sarr.
Sarr is much younger than Davis and has already shown good complementary skills which would work well alongside Cade Cunningham and the other Pistons. If the Pistons are facing a potential disaster scenario with Duren, pivoting to Sarr alongside with other trade throw-ins wouldn't be a bad move at this stage.
The Pistons should welcome a move for Sarr
As a former No. 2 overall pick, Sarr stil holds a lot of promise after his second season in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game - solid numbers for a rising center. He's just 21 years old right now and could develop into something far greater next to Cunningham, just as Duren has in recent seasons.
Sarr has also flashed some exciting subtle skills which would make a huge difference at the center position. Even though he's listed at 7'0", Sarr has shown surprising switchability on defense and some shooting touch on offense. Last season, he shot 33% from three-point range on 3 attempts per game.
Compared to both Davis and Duren, Sarr is already a better shooter and has the potential to be a better complementary offensive player in the future too. He might not develop into the 20 points per game All-Stars that both of those guys have been, but Sarr can make an offensive impact through his spacing and helping Cade get better looks.
The Wizards won't give up Sarr easily
Of course, the problem with any ideal Duren sign-and-trade package is that opposing teams often don't want to give them up. Sarr has been a cornerstone of the Wizards rebuild so far, and they probably want to see what he looks like next to incoming rookie AJ Dybansta before giving up on him for a much more expensive player in Duren.
Maybe Washington would change their tune if Detroit took back some unwanted contracts, although not at the level of Davis' huge deal. The Pistons could add smaller concessions to make a Sarr-Duren swap more attractive for the Wizards, even if it means giving up second-round picks or taking on a washed player in addition to Sarr.
The difference between Sarr and Davis perfectly highlights how the Pistons should be approaching any potential Duren sign-and-trade. A long-term fit should be the goal, ideally at the center spot, rather than a short rental that the Pistons might come to regret soon anyways.
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