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3 wild Jalen Duren trades that won't happen but should

The Pistons are still at an impasse with Jalen Duren and options are dwindling. But that can't stop us from imagining something a bit more creative.
ByMat Issa
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Orlando Magic v Detroit Pistons - Game Five
Orlando Magic v Detroit Pistons - Game Five | Chris Schwegler/GettyImages

With most big name free agents now on new deals, the main storyline the NBA world has been following is the stalemate between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons. He wants more money than the Pistons are willing to offer him, but he can’t sign anywhere else because no one has the cap space to sign him outright, and even if they did, the team can just match it since he’s a restricted free agent. 

Now, it has even gotten to the point where some folks believe that the relationship is damaged beyond repair. Duren is so fed up that he could be willing to take the qualifying offer and miss out on millions, just so he can be an unrestricted free agent. 

The obvious solution to this would be the Pistons taking a blueprint from the Denver Nuggets with Peyton Watson, and just sign-and-trade the All-NBA big man. But the Pistons don’t seem to like any of the offers that are out there. 

However, given how sour things have become between the two parties, they may need to seriously consider this option. And if they do (a total longshot), here are three hypothetical trades they should look into. 

1. Jalen Duren finally gets what he wants 

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren | USA TODAY Sports

Everyone and their mother knows that Duren wants to go to the Sacramento Kings. He has a strong relationship with general manager Scott Perry, and the Kings seem willing to pay him what he wants. So, why not just give the man what he wants?

This FanSpo trade is relatively clean and simple. The Pistons trade Duren and a 2028 second round pick from the New York Knicks to the Kings. In return, the Pistons get Domantas Sabonis (an All-NBA five man to take Duren’s place) and a 2031 first round pick (that the San Antonio Spurs have swap rights to) from the Kings. 

Here, the Indiana Pacers also join the party as a third team – giving the Pistons Obi Toppin for Duncan Robinson. The Pistons can afford to get rid of Robinson now that they have Isaiah Joe and Kevin Huerter. Toppin gives them length and athleticism, and a possible small ball five option. The Pacers get a proven marksman to come off the bench and play in their up-tempo offense. 

2. The Pistons fix their spacing issue once and for all

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Pistons offense struggled at times last postseason. A big reason for this is that when Duren and Ausar Thompson shared the court together, it was super easy to pack the paint against them because both of them were non-shooters. The Pistons seem keen on keeping Thompson, so they may need to put a player who can shoot the three at the five spot.

This FanSpo trade gives them just that. In this instance, the Pistons would trade Duren and Tolu Smith to the Milwaukee Bucks for Myles Turner (38.3 percent shooter from 3 last year), Kevin Porter Jr. (a potential shot creator to carry the non-Cade Cunningham minutes), and two first round picks (that the Bucks got from the Miami Heat in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade).

I’m not a big fan of this for the Bucks – mainly because I don’t like them sacrificing the draft capital they just got for a flawed player like Duren. But we’re looking at this from the Pistons’ perspective. And if the Bucks want to offer this to them, they should definitely take it.

3. Pistons kill two birds with one stone

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Right now, what the Pistons really need is to solve this Duren fiasco and find a viable second fiddle to Cunningham. If they made this trade with the Brooklyn Nets, they would be able to check both those boxes. 

In this trade, the Pistons would give the Nets Duren and Robinson in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and two first round picks (from the Knicks). Porter is not only a bigger, more athletic version of Robinson, but he’s proven capable of being a credible number one option in doses. 

Despite the Nets being dead-last in offensive rating, they were near average (44th percentile) when Porter was on the floor (per Cleaning the Glass). Since they don’t get another center back, Paul Reed would be their de facto starter, but they could easily fix that by using one (or both) of the first round picks they got from the Nets in this deal.

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