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A new NBA rumor seems to explain why the Detroit Pistons have not pulled the trigger on a trade sending Jalen Duren to the Sacramento Kings for Domantas Sabonis amid a contract impasse with their All-Star center.
The relationship between the Pistons and Duren is at a low point as we near the start of training camp next week. He entered the summer as a restricted free agent looking to get a max contract from Detroit or another interested team. However, the Pistons have blocked all sign-and-trade discussions and recently increased their contract offer to $200 million. Yet it still doesn’t seem like enough for Duren.
Related: Rumor Claims Detroit Pistons Trading Jalen Duren ‘More Possible’ Days Before Camp Opens: 5 Ideal Landing Spots
It now seems likely he will accept their $9.6 million qualifying offer so he can leave in free agency next summer. Putting pressure on the team to consider trading him now instead of losing him for nothing next summer. But would they actually pull the trigger on such a major trade right before the season starts? According to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, “the closer we get to October, the more it is possible” that the team moves Duren.
Detroit Pistons want draft pick in Jalen Duren and Domantas Sabonis trade?
NBA: Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons
Jan 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) moves the ball up court in front of Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
The most obvious landing spot is the Kings. They showed heavy interest early in free agency, and reports suggest the 22-year-old would be a top target for general manager Scott Perry if he is available next summer. In a potential trade, the Pistons could get two-time All-Star Sabonis. A player who isn’t as good as Duren defensively, but gives them a whole lot more options on offense.
So why haven’t the Pistons made a trade as their relationship with the center worsens? Well, according to Jake Fischer, NBA executives “do not think that Sabonis has positive trade value, and that they would need to be compensated in order to take on the remainder of his contract.” The center has two years and $93 million left on his deal and is coming off MCL surgery.
So, it seems like if the Pistons were to send the eight-years-younger Duren to the Kings, they would want draft assets back along with Sabonis. However, according to the NBA insider, that is a non-starter for Perry.
“Perry has been very unwilling to attach draft picks to move off assets. That very likely won’t change,” Fischer reports.