Could former Tiger Jalen Duren be heading to the West?

Jalen Duren has been the best former Tiger in the NBA over the last few seasons, and he’s entered free agency as a restricted free agent on Tuesday.

After being drafted with the No. 13 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Duren just wrapped up his fourth season with the Detroit Pistons. After starting 31 games in the 2022-23 season, the center has started all but one game that he’s played in over the last three seasons.

In 2025-26, Duren started 70 games, and he averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and two assists in 28.2 minute per game. While he made his first All-Star Game of his career last season, the big man struggled in the postseason and averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 14 games. 

After struggling in the playoffs, there were questions about whether the Pistons would bring Duren back, but Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon spoke at length during the team’s exit interviews about Duren and his future.

“Well, first of all, JD had a fantastic season,” Langdon said. “All-Star. One of the biggest contributors to us being a No. 1 seed. Darn near 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.”

Landon also said that the team would sit down with Duren’s representatives, and the plan was to get him re-signed in Detroit.

“We look forward to coming together with his representation and getting a deal done and for him to continue to be a Piston,” Langdon said. 

While Langdon seemed committed during the exit interview, reports came out on Monday that Duren would meet with teams when free agency started and was interested in a sign-and-trade.

“Due to sizable distance apart in negotiations, Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren will meet with the Sacramento Kings at the start of free agency with the intentions of structuring a sign-and-trade out of Detroit,” NBA insider Chris Haynes posted on X.

A sign-and-trade to Sacramento would be an interesting move from a team that wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the East last season to a team that finished 15 games out of the play-in in the West. The move would also pair Duren with former Tiger Precious Achiuwa, who resigned with the Kings on Tuesday.

After it was reported that the center would meet with the Kings, more reports surfaced that Duren would also meet with the Lakers, and that he has interest in playing for the Boston Celtics.

Despite interest elsewhere, reports out of Detroit indicate that they have no interest in moving off of Duren. 

ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported that the Pistons have made Duren a massive offer, and they will match any offer sheet from another team.

With a lot of speculation on his future, one thing is clear. The former Tiger will be a big piece to someone’s offseason, but the question is whose?