Pistons predicted to trade Jalen Duren for $272M 3-time All-Star, rebounding savant in mega deal

The Detroit Pistons still have some things to figure out as the season approaches, with the biggest question being whether they can sign their starting center. Detroit and Jalen Duren have been at a crossroads throughout the offseason, with the two sides still far apart in contract negotiations. The Pistons have not wanted to give Duren the maximum amount of money he could receive. However, there is currently a $5 million gap between the two sides in contract discussions. 'The Pistons offered Jalen Duren a five-year contract averaging around $35 million annually, per ESPN. Duren's camp continues to believe he is worth more than $40 million per year.. If Duren continues to be unsatisfied with Detroit, he could take the qualifying offer instead,' NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote. The Pistons could make a trade if the situation with Duren reaches that point. SI's Logan Struck believes they could trade Duren for Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. 'The most realistic outcome is for the Kings to send three-time All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis to Detroit in exchange for Duren. This still gives the Pistons a reliable, star-caliber center to help compete in the Eastern Conference, without having to commit about $200 million to Duren over the next five years,' Struck wrote. This could very well be a possibility, as Sabonis' future with the Kings is also in question. ESPN's Brian Windhorst also pointed out that Sabonis has an agent who recently helped facilitate some major trades. 'I do think it's somewhat interesting that he changed agents this offseason," Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast. "He hired Aaron Mintz from CAA. This last year, Mintz and his group executed the trade for Trae Young away from Atlanta. They executed the trade for Walker Kessler away from [the Jazz]. Domantas Sabonis just hired him. At the risk of parodying myself, why would he do that?' This would be a huge deal for Detroit, as it would bring in a player with significantly more experience than Duren. Sabonis is a three-time All-Star and has led the league in rebounding three different times. Sabonis has made $272 million throughout his career. With the Pistons expected to be a playoff team for the foreseeable future, this is a move they easily should be willing to make. Sabonis can bring more to the table than Duren, being completely honest. More NBA news: