Jalen Duren Eyes Celtics Sign-and-Trade on Potential $40 Million Deal as Pistons Resist
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jul 1
Jalen Duren Eyes Celtics Sign-and-Trade on Potential $40 Million Deal as Pistons Resist
3 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jul 1
Summary
Jalen Duren has shown interest in a sign-and-trade to Boston, giving the Celtics a possible frontcourt target as NBA free agency opens and their Jaylen Brown situation still clouds roster planning.
Detroit’s reluctance stems from Duren’s contract dispute after a poor playoff run: the 22-year-old center made the All-Star team and third-team All-NBA, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, but the Pistons do not want to pay him max money.
A sign-and-trade would also be hard to execute because base-year compensation rules would count a $40 million new deal as only $20 million outgoing for Detroit while counting the full $40 million for Boston.
That mismatch could force extra players or even multiple teams into the trade, and the Pistons have already indicated they do not plan to entertain such a deal between last season’s top two Eastern Conference seeds.