Jalen Duren is currently playing a game of contract chicken with the Detroit Pistons, and the Sacramento Kings almost got themselves caught in the middle. If the Kings haven't given up on chasing him by now, they really need to let go because it's a bad scene that's just going to get worse.
So, the Pistons had a great season in 2025-2026. They finished number one in the Eastern Conference with a record of 60 wins and 22 losses. It's literally the opposite of the Kings' record last season of 22 losses and 60 wins in the West. Both were impressive in their own special ways.
Duren himself had a great run, averaging a double-double for his third season in a row. On top of that, he was a first-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. He played a huge role in the Pistons' regular-season success. He was also a big reason for their postseason collapse.
The playoffs hurt Duren's aspirations
Detroit entered the playoffs as the top seed in the East, barely got by the Magic in the first round, and got knocked out by the Cavs in the second. Duren's postseason performance left a lot to be desired. His average points per game was down nearly 10, a huge reason for the Pistons' failure.
That has led to a bit of stalemate between Duren and Detroit. He wants a five-year supermax contract extension worth $287 million, but is willing to settle for $239 million. How generous. The Pistons are pushing back as they are concerned about paying that much for a player who choked in the playoffs.
And that's where the Kings come in. Duren has allegedly expressed interest in going to the Kings. Jonathan Kuminga pulled the same move in his negotiations with the Warriors in 2025. Sacramento tried to get a sign-and-trade for Domantas Sabonis going, but the Pistons shut that down asap.
Sactown is better off with Sabonis
Executives across the league have to be wondering if Duren is another James Harden, a guy who kills it in the regular season but falls apart in the playoffs. For the kind of money Duren is looking for, there has to be no doubt in anyone's mind that he is worth it. That's just not the case.
Beyond that, the last thing the Kings need right now is a new five-year contract worth $40+ million per season on the books. At least with Sabonis, his expensive contract is up in two seasons at the most. And Sacramento knows exactly what kind of player they're getting with him.
If the Kings haven't given up on bringing in Duren, that has to happen now. They need guys they can develop, not players who have already proven themselves to be unreliable. There's a reason why so few other teams are in the mix on this one. Let's just leave this between the Pistons and Duren.
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