The Detroit Pistons are still trying to negotiate a deal to retain Jalen Duren for the foreseeable future. Duren is a restricted free agent, but talks have not gone well between the two sides. In fact, it seems that things have started to get nasty.
Duren wants a max contract, with him coming off the best regular season of his career. Detroit wants to pay him less than that after a horrible postseason showing. A trade proposal from Bleacher Report would see the Pistons end this saga by sending him to a division rival.
GettyDetroit Pistons center Jalen Duren dribbles the ball in a game. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Trade Proposal Sees Pistons Send Jalen Duren to Milwaukee
Here is the full trade proposal:
Detroit Pistons receive: Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner and 2031 first-round pick (top-five protected)
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jalen Duren (sign-and-trade)
Bringing in Turner would give Cade Cunningham a new pick-and-roll partner, but he would be more of a pick-and-pop guy. They need someone who can spread the floor at the center spot now that Isaiah Stewart is in Memphis. Turner can still hit 3s.
Rollins showed promise as a young guard a year ago, and he looks to be best used as a third guard off the bench. Detroit needs someone who can handle the ball and create offense when Cunningham is resting. Rollins would be able to do that off the bench.
Adding a top-five protected pick would be even better for Duren. This was by far the best season for Duren in his career, but the postseason showed his flaws. Turner is expensive, but at least he has played in big games before. He played in the NBA Finals just a couple of seasons ago.
The Bucks are in the midst of a rebuild, so adding Duren would be a solid start to that process. He and Tyler Herro would be a solid guard and center combination for the next few years. They also need someone who can help sell tickets, and Duren would help that effort, as well.
GettyDetroit Pistons center Jalen Duren shoots a free throw in a game. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Detroit Has to Figure Out How to Make Jalen Duren Happy
As time goes on, it seems more likely that Duren will be playing on a qualifying offer next year. The Pistons seem dug in with their stance to not overpay for Duren. Meanwhile, Duren is trying his best to cash in on a season that saw him make his first All-NBA team.
A sign-and-trade sending Duren to someone else could end up being best for all parties involved. During the playoffs, the Pistons had the third-worst turnover percentage of any playoff team. Duren’s turnovers went up during the playoffs, and they need someone who can match the postseason moment better.
The Pistons are trying to win a championship in the next couple of years. Adding a win-now player would be necessary for them if they were to consider moving Duren elsewhere.
Pistons End Jalen Duren Saga in Bold Trade Proposal