A new rumor about the Sacramento Kings’ current asking price in a Domantas Sabonis trade makes a swap for Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren even more realistic before training camps open in a couple of weeks.
Entering the summer offseason, the Pistons All-Star was seen as one of the top players available in free agency following a breakout season. However, his chances of landing the max deal he wanted had hurdles. First, he was a restricted free agent. Second, Duren was coming off a terrible showing during the 2026 playoffs. And lastly, the Pistons made it clear early on they were not taking calls on a sign-and-trade deal.
It has led to a nearly three-month stalemate over a new contract, with the Pistons reportedly preferring a five-year deal around $190 million while the young star wants a pact for over $200 million. While most believe the Pistons and Duren will finally find a middle ground, that may no longer be the case.
Detroit Pistons have to consider Jalen Duren trade
Last week, The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson reported that Duren is “very seriously considering” taking Detroit’s $9.6 million qualifying offer so he can play out the season and depart next summer as an unrestricted free agent. The NBA insiders note that taking the QO would clearly indicate “a relationship gone wrong” and force the Pistons to “consider trading him now rather than losing him for nothing later.”
A team that would certainly welcome a trade is the Kings, after making their interest in the big man known early in free agency, until Detroit shut down trade talks. If Detroit is now open to a deal, they could land Sabonis as part of a return package. Sacramento has been looking to move the two-time All-Star and has had trouble finding a trade partner.
Sacramento Kings remain a viable trade option for Detroit Pistons
This week, NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed in a new Bleacher Report stream that Sabonis trade conversations have had little traction this summer because their asking price remains high. “Right now, there’s going to be continued disconnect between the Kings wanting to get back positive value and draft compensation for Sabonis compared to other teams not so eager to give Sabonis the contract extension he’s looking for,” Fischer claimed [h/t Basket News].
Previous reports claimed the Charlotte Hornets turned down a trade, despite serious interest, because the Kings were asking for multiple draft picks for the big man coming off season-ending MCL surgery in 2025-26.
Although the Kings won’t get any picks from the Pistons, they can offer a player that general manager Scott Perry badly wants and is expected to target again next summer if he takes the QO. While Detroit may not be in love with getting a much older player in Sabonis with a lot of money left on his deal, he is still an impact player who keeps them as a top team in the East. If Sacramento were willing to include a first-round pick in the trade, it might go a long way toward getting a deal done before camps open at the end of the month.
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