Power Ranking the Potential Jalen Duren Suitors

With days away from the October 1 deadline for the qualifying offer, the Detroit Pistons are looking for a resolution with All-Star center Jalen Duren. As the deadline looms, the only certainty is that a deal will be done, whether it’s a qualifying offer, the five-year, $200 million offer on the table, or a hypothetical sign-and-trade, which Detroit has largely avoided. But what if the Pistons were open for business?

According to ESPN’s Marc J Spears, four teams have inquired about Duren. These four teams all have an incentive to acquire Duren and have different packages in order to do so. Although each team has a reasonable package, the question is whether the Pistons will accept it. The idea today is which package, or potential package, the Pistons would likely accept. With that, there are the top four Duren suitors.

4. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have a major need for a Jalen Duren type. Aside from center Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta is one of the smallest teams in the league, regardless of talent. The team consists of a plethora of wings and small guards, but Atlanta has routinely been exposed for their smaller interior. Atlanta is a team on the ascent, but they need to solidify their interior.

While they have a definite need, there are problems with a potential Detroit trade. The Hawks have a number of wings they could send to Detroit, including several that fit the three-and-D model the Pistons desperately need, but the Hawks’ lack of depth upfront paired with Detroit’s current lack of depth kills the deal. Unless the Hawks include Okongwu and more, the deal is dead on arrival, and that might not be enough on the surface.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

A Milwaukee Bucks trade is honestly a double-edged sword. The Bucks have a variety of packages they could offer the Pistons to try and pry Duren away from Detroit. If Detroit wanted a secondary scorer, the Bucks could offer a package around All-Star guard Tyler Herro. If Detroit is looking for floor spacing and rim protection, Myles Turner is a clear fit. If Detroit is looking for a long-term replacement, Kel’el Ware is a great potential center for Detroit. The Bucks have options that could entice Detroit.

The problem with the Bucks, aside from being a division rival, is that all of these packages have drawbacks. Coming off of an injury-riddled season, is Herro available enough? Is Myles Turner good enough to replace what Duren offers for the Pistons? Is Milwaukee willing to move off of Kel’el Ware? With the number of issues, the Pistons have questions regarding every potential Bucks deal.

2. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards are as high as they are for a simple reason: They have the best player they could offer the Detroit Pistons. The Wizards would look to the deal for a young, 22-year-old All-Star, and match with a superstar in forward Anthony Davis. Make no mistake, Anthony Davis is the BEST player Detroit could see in a return, and honestly, could be the best teammate Cade Cunningham could have. A Cunningham/Davis pairing when healthy could be among the best duos in the league.

The problem is just that: When healthy. Davis is without a doubt the talent, but the issue is availability. If Davis can give Detroit the availability needed, this trade would be the top spot, but if he were healthy, he wouldn’t be available. The entire narrative around the Wizards is IF, but that IF has enough pause for the Pistons to reconsider.

1. Sacramento Kings

While not the prettiest package, the Sacramento Kings have the trade packages that work the best for the Pistons. Offering an All-Star like Domantas Sabonis, while a defensive liability, has an expansive offensive game that could open the floor like never before for Cunningham and the Pistons. In fact, if the Kings were to include a first-round pick or more for the Pistons’ young center, the deal would likely be done; yet, here the Pistons are.

From there, the Kings have other packages to offer. Aside from Sabonis, could the Kings offer a Keegan Murray-centered package? Maybe entice the Pistons with the combination of an expiring contract and a potential starter by offering Zach LaVine and Maxime Raynauld? These trades, with or without picks, give the Pistons a good fit and flexibility for the future, which this front office clearly values. From a basketball fit and financial fit, this works.

Who knows what will happen between today and the Thursday, October 1 deadline. Maybe Duren is a Piston for life, maybe not. Duren’s ability and play say he could be a long-term Detroiter, but something has to give. Detroit wants a pair for Cade Cunningham, for better or worse.