The idea of the Sacramento Kings making a sign-and-trade deal for Detroit Pistons All-Star Jalen Duren has seemed dead for weeks. However, a new rumor just kicked open the door to a deal being a real possibility soon.
Despite a second straight losing season, this was always expected to be an uneventful offseason for the Kings because several pricey contracts on their payroll have limited their optionality to improve the roster. However, at the start of free agency, Sacramento tried to offer their fans hope when they were one of the teams that engaged in conversations with the Pistons’ restricted free agent.
If they were to land the All-NBA center, they would need Detroit to take part in a sign-and-trade deal that would include big man Domantas Sabonis. However, from the start, reports have stated the Pistons have zero interest in any sign-and-trade deal. However, we are close to the end of August, and they have yet to come to terms on a new long-term deal with Duren.
This week, ESPN Tim McMahon offered up some new intel on ongoing contract talks that might make a trade between the Kings and Pistons a lot more realistic.
Things are getting ‘ugly’ between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons
May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks to center Jalen Duren (0) in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
According to the NBA insider, progress in negotiations is going slowly because decision-makers in Detroit “believe Ausar Thompson is their second-best player.” So they don’t want to get locked into a massive deal with Duren when they hope to give Thompson a new long-term deal after he became eligible last month.
Since talks have made little progress, McMahon claims “this has been an awfully nasty negotiation,” and he has concerns about the long-term outlook of the relationship between the All-Star and the team that drafted him with the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
“Sometimes these negotiations, when they are ugly like this, can have long-lasting consequences,” McMahon noted in a new edition of the Hoop Collective.
The most likely conclusion to this situation is that the two sides finally come to terms on a deal they are satisfied with, or Duren plays on his one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer and becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
What would a Sacramento Kings trade for Jalen Duren look like now?
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 ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
However, if the relationship between Duren and the team is severely damaged — which is very possible — head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon should seriously consider moving Duren now so he can get an impact player in return instead of losing him for nothing in 2027. Especially since they have an October deadline to give Thompson an extension at a reasonable rate.
That is why the Kings make sense as a trade partner. Duren’s departure will leave a massive void at center. Sabonis can fill that. Sure, he isn’t at all the defensive player the 22-year-old is. However, when healthy, he is just as good a point producer, arguably a better rebounder, and does something Duren can’t: Stretch the floor and open up a better lane to the basket or a three-point threat to dish to for Cade Cunningham.
The biggest issue in a deal is the Pistons taking on the $93 million left on Sabonis’ contract for the next two years after coming off MCL surgery. However, at 30, it is probable he can bounce back and deliver two strong seasons in Detroit to get one more big contract in the summer of 2028. If things are that bad between Duren and Detroit, a trade with the Kings isn’t a terrible idea.
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka … More about Jason Burgos