The Detroit Pistons own the right to match any contract that Jalen Duren signs, but the big man reportedly has legitimate interest in playing for the Boston Celtics during the next stage of his career
Now that free agency has officially opened up across the NBA, teams are striking deals left and right to re-tool their rosters ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. As for the Detroit Pistons, eight-year NBA vet Kevin Huerter has already signed on with the squad for another three seasons at roughly $9 million per year, so there is little time to idle in place.
In terms of the Pistons’ offseason activities, Jalen Duren’s status as a restricted free agent will inarguably be the defining portion of Detroit’s offseason. Last year, Duren posted career numbers en route to his first All-Star team, an All-NBA Third Team selection and a second-place finish for the Most Improved Player award, so the fact that JD has not already reached an agreement with the Pistons could be perceived as quite concerning.
Since Duren made an All-NBA squad, the big man is eligible for a super-max contract that could be worth up to five years and $287.1 million in totality, but JD’s profound struggles in the postseason have certainly hampered the amount of money that the Pistons would be willing to pay. As one would expect, Duren would like a major raise after such a productive regular season, but Detroit is understandably hesitant to commit so much money to a physically imposing center that was shut down in the playoffs.
That financial tug-of-war between Duren’s agent and the Pistons has now led the fourth-year player to pursue what options he has elsewhere across the league. Yesterday, Duren and his representation participated in meetings with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings with the hopes of convincing Detroit to consider executing a sign-and-trade this offseason, but the Pistons are reportedly not interested in such an arrangement.
At least not with those teams.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Duren is interested in a potential landing spot in Boston with the Celtics, which is an intriguing option to consider since the C’s are believed to be of the mindset that they need to deal Jaylen Brown this offseason as well.
“I know Jalen Duren’s side has some interest in a potential sign-and-trade exit not to LA, not to Sacramento but to Boston where we know the Celtics, regardless of what happens with Jaylen Brown, we know the Celtics are looking at frontcourt reinforcements,” Fischer said.
Now, the Pistons would certainly command a serious trade package in return for Duren if they were to go down that road, but there is no indication that Detroit is interested in that option. Still, it’s worth considering since Duren is currently conducting meetings with teams across the league, and the Celtics could conceivably offer the Pistons one of the more talent-rich returning packages if Brown is included in the potential deal.
If that were to happen, the Pistons would need to stay active during the summer in order to bolster their frontcourt after trading Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies during the NBA Draft. Paul Reed is still on the roster, but Ugonna Onyenso would check in as the team’s second-string center immediately after a potential Duren deal goes through, so then the Pistons would be in the same position as the Celtics— surveying the market for an impactful center when there’s not many, if any, of Duren’s caliber available.
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