“Sources say that the Pistons, though, also continue to brush aside any introduction of sign-and-trade scenarios to the talks that would land Duren elsewhere,” Stein wrote.<\/p>\n
“Team officials have consistently described re-signing Duren as the top priority of an offseason that has already resulted in the Pistons acquiring John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Gary Harris Jr. and Taurean Prince.”<\/p>\n
However, other organizations can force Detroit’s hand by offering the 22-year-old a four-year, $177.4 million maximum contract<\/a>. The Pistons can pay him $287.1 million over five years, although there’s a reason they haven’t already given him 30% of the cap.<\/p>\n That’s where the Nets come into play.<\/p>\n Duren had a disappointing playoff run, but consider his age, potential and skill set in comparison to what Brooklyn needs. After moving off Nic Claxton, the Nets’ center rotation consists of Day’Ron Sharpe and Moritz Wagner.<\/p>\n Brooklyn still has enough money to make a big swing at Duren, or at least pull off a sign-and-trade. The organization has already been linked to fellow restricted free agent Peyton Watson in a Michael Porter Jr. sign-and-trade<\/a>. Why not go bigger with one of the best big men in the NBA?<\/p>\n Duren immediately makes the Nets a legitimate postseason contender, regardless if Porter is the sacrificial lamb. A core of Duren, Julius Randle, Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor D\u0451min in an uber-competitive Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n That’s an elite mix of shot-making, rim protection and defense, assuming Brown and D\u0451min live up to the hype as franchise guards.<\/p>\n Brooklyn can easily make some noise in the latter stages of the offseason. Sean Marks has long valued flexibility, but this is where that should get put to use.<\/p>\n
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