Dec 16, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) and forward Domantas Sabonis (10) box out Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) and forward Domantas Sabonis (10) box out Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
With just a few weeks to go before the start of training camp, the Detroit Pistons are facing a crisis in their ongoing negotiations with Jalen Duren. As a restricted free agent this summer, Duren is seeking at least $200 million over five years for his role in helping them land the first seed in the East.
The Pistons have not yet been willing to meet his demands, but they apparently haven’t been open to trades, either. According to the latest intel, the Sacramento Kings were ready to accept a sign-and-trade for Duren in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, but the Pistons declined, still determined to work things out with their disgruntled big man.
“There was a trade on the table from the Kings, a sign-and-trade for Jalen Duren,” reported Brett Sigel of ClutchPoints. “They were willing to offer Domantas Sabonis to the Pistons, but that’s not what the Pistons want. They want to bring Jalen Duren back and secure him on a long-term deal.”
The Kings have been tied to Duren for months now, and reports claim he’s confident they are willing to offer a full max contract if he hits free agency next summer (off a one-year qualifying offer). But now, we know they tried to get him even sooner. By offering Domantas Sabonis (who has grown disillusioned with the franchise), the Kings could have started a brand new slate, sacrificing one of their core veterans for a younger, developing center with superstar aspirations.
With averages of 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game on 65.0% shooting from the field last season, the Kings believe Duren can be a franchise pillar for them, and they are more than willing to give him the platform he’s been seeking. In exchange, the Pistons could have gotten back a talented and versatile veteran center in Sabonis, who is still in the prime of his career at 30 years old.
But instead of settling for Sabonis as Cade Cunningham’s new co-star, the Pistons decided to keep trying to reach a resolution with Duren. Despite everything, they still view him as an essential member of their team and a core piece of their identity. If they had it their way, Jalen would stick around for good on a long-term deal and remain their franchise center for years to come.
Unfortunately, that just may not be possible with the way things are currently headed. While the two sides aren’t that far apart in negotiations (roughly a $10 million difference), it’s enough for Duren to feel disrespected and undervalued. At this point, even if he does come back, his relationship with the team would likely never be the same again, and he’d probably sign with the Kings next summer anyway.
In the end, the Pistons are really taking a risk here by refusing to let Duren go. With multiple offers on the table (including for a proven All-Star center), they could end this saga now and make out just fine if they wanted to. But the Pistons clearly want to keep their star duo together long-term, and they believe there is still a path to reconciliation after a summer of failed negotiations.