Hawks Among Four Teams Interested in Jalen Duren Sign-and-Trade

The Atlanta Hawks are one of four teams with interest in a potential sign-and-trade for Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, according to an NBA general manager who spoke with Marc J. Spears.

Spears reported it Monday on ESPN's "NBA Today" and named the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards as the other three.

Duren did not attend Pistons media day earlier Monday. The 22-year-old restricted free agent has declined Detroit's five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed offer, ESPN's Shams Charania reported.

Spears said Duren has not explicitly requested a trade, though Spears believes the center has conveyed his unhappiness.

"Jalen Duren, he's not even talked to Trajan for months," Spears said. "A Pistons source told me that there's still optimism that they think he'll sign the big deal. But if not, I'm hearing from an NBA GM told me the Milwaukee Bucks, the Atlanta Hawks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Washington Wizards ... have interest in a potential sign-and-trade."

Trajan Langdon, the Pistons' president of basketball operations, declined to discuss the negotiations at media day.

"I have not spoken to the young man all summer, so I don't know how that is," Langdon said. "I know for me, I'm not going to hold anything against him. I'll be very happy to have him back. I'll be excited. He's been a huge part of our success."

Thursday, Oct. 1, is the deadline for Duren to accept his one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer. Signing it would put him on track for unrestricted free agency next summer. A player on a qualifying offer can also block any trade during that season.

Any sign-and-trade requires Detroit's participation. According to ESPN, the Pistons have rejected sign-and-trade proposals.

Two of the four teams Spears named had already been tied to Duren. Earlier this month, Sam Amick, Hunter Patterson, and Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported that the Kings had signaled a willingness to give Duren a max contract next summer. The same report listed the Bucks among at least two other teams with serious interest.

Last season, Duren averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 70 games while shooting 65.0% from the field. He made his first All-Star team and earned All-NBA Third Team honors.

Detroit finished 60-22. Cleveland knocked the Pistons out in the second round, while Duren averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over 14 playoff games.

The Hornets took Duren with the 13th pick in the 2022 draft. He made $6.5 million in 2025-26, the final season of his rookie contract.

Atlanta went 46-36 last season and won the Southeast Division. The New York Knicks eliminated the Hawks in six games in the first round.

The Hawks host the Pistons on Nov. 22. Atlanta opens the regular season Oct. 21 at the Orlando Magic, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET.