Jalen Duren market gets new twist as surprise team emerges to challenge Kings

The Jalen Duren situation in Detroit has turned messy, and with training camp set to begin soon, that front remains without a clear path to a resolution. Both camps seem to be pretty firm in their current stances, and the pressure brought in by the Sacramento Kings being interested in the All-Star has only complicated things for the Pistons.

In fact, it appears that Sac-Town is not going to be the lone bidder for Duren if he ends up being available to take. As reported by The Athletic's Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson, the Milwaukee Bucks are said to have registered serious interest in going after Duren if his fallout with the Pistons continues.

Well then, the Kings are going to have to step up even more if they are dead-set on acquiring Duren when he hits the open market.

The Kings face a new challenger for Jalen Duren as the Bucks lurk in the shadows

Milwaukee is currently in a state of flux as no one really knows what their intended direction is. After losing Giannis Antetokounmpo, the natural consequence is for them to kickstart a rebuild, but their current personnel suggests that they are not yet ripe to bottom out.

Heck, the Bucks wanting Duren points to them intending to remain relevant in the East. 

The Kings are leaning into their youth movement now, so their interest in the All-NBA Third Team member from this past season makes sense given that he is still plenty young. 

Sources also say that Duren is just as interested in coming to Sacramento, so the franchise should still have the edge over the Bucks and any other prospective bidders out there.

In addition, the fact that the Kings can lure the Pistons into eventually sending Duren there in a different sign-and-trade framework is also ideal for Sacramento. After all, they can ship out All-Star center Domantas Sabonis in return, and that is one win-now asset the Bucks cannot tender to Detroit.