Jalen Duren's offseason saga with the Pistons has been the source of a lot of rumors, with the Sacramento Kings in the mix as a destination for him. The reality is that it won't be via a trade between the two teams, particularly one that involves Domantas Sabonis. It's already been shut down.
In case you haven't been following this whole mess in the Motor City, Duren and Detroit are negotiating an extension. He wants more money than they want to give him because they are concerned he isn't worth it. Not shockingly, Duren may have taken that stance as an insult.
More recently, the Pistons upped their offer to something Duren might find more acceptable. Everyone is just waiting to see how things progress from there. Throughout the summer, the Kings keep popping up in the conversation as the team looking to be Duren's new NBA home.
The prospective deal that many sites keep pitching is a sign-and-trade that would send Duren to the West Coast. In exchange, the Pistons would get Domantas Sabonis and likely a couple of first-round draft picks. The problem with this is that both sides have caveats that will stop this trade dead.
Duren is unlikely to become a King via trade
What's important to know about this trade proposal is that Sacramento already made it and Detroit said no. They were not interested in adding Sabonis to the roster, likely because of his terrible three-point shooting and lackluster rim protection. It's the same reasons other teams don't trade for him.
Recent proposed updates to this trade have suggested the Kings include multiple first-round picks to sweeten the deal for the Pistons. Sacramento general manager Scott Perry is exceptionally unlikely to do that. He's not interested in giving up picks for players unless his hand is forced somehow.
If the Kings get Duren, it will be because he takes a qualifying offer now and signs with them as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Duren knows the Kings will have the payroll open then, once both Zach LaVine and De'Andre Hunter clock out. He just has to wait a year for the move.
All of that being said, a trade is possible if the Pistons manage to re-sign Duren and become desperate to move him due to locker room issues. If that happens, it will likely be around the trade deadline in February. Until then, keep in mind the Detroit front office wants Duren to stay a Piston.
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