The New Orleans Pelicans’ search for a starting center brings us to the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren. The young center is available, but it won’t be easy to acquire him. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Duren was underwhelmed by the Pistons’ initial contract offer, and now plans to explore sign-and-trade scenarios. This is where the Pelicans enter the conversation.
It will likely take a lot of money and assets to acquire Duren. The chiseled big man is a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning the Pistons can match any offer another team makes. Because of this, it’s very likely that if the Pelicans wanted to acquire Duren, they likely would have to not only shell out a lot of money but send a couple of players to the Pistons in a sign-and-trade deal.
While acquiring Duren may cost a lot, I think he is worth it. I will start by acknowledging that Duren did not have a great postseason. However, he is young enough that he still has room to grow and improve.
Jalen Duren hasn’t even reached his prime yet
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound center is just 22 years old and was an All-Star, who was also voted to the All-NBA third team. He would give the Pelicans an imposing presence in the paint, who averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game last season.
It feels like Duren has been around longer than he has. The great thing about going after Duren is that he can be a part of a Pelicans team that is rebuilding or trying to win now. He is young enough to grow alongside Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, but already good enough to help the Pelicans win now.
I know there would be questions about his fit next to Zion Williamson and Queen. However, if the Pelicans have a chance to get a player as young and as good as Duren, they need to take it.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto is reporting that Duren is looking for $40 million per year. That is a lot. There is no way around that.
Luckily, New Orleans has multiple big contracts it can use to send out to afford Duren. Williamson is making $42 million next season, while Jordan Poole is making $34 million and Dejounte Murray is making $32 million. Neither of these three guys would likely get Duren back in a one-for-one sign-and-trade deal, but it would be a start. The Pelicans also have enough talent they could send to Detroit to try and make a sign-and-trade work for them. I would be ok sending out anyone other than Trey Murphy III, Fears, or Queen in a package to acquire Duren.
Saddiq Bey, Herb Jones, Yves Missi are all guys who executives around the league have been interested in. Let's also not forget that the Pistons' president of basketball operations is Trajon Langdon. This is the same guy who was the Pelicans’ general manager from 2019 to 2024.
There is another wrinkle to this, which is Pelicans general manager Troy Weaver. He was the Pistons’ general manager from 2020 to 2024, when the Pistons acquired Duren. There is a lot of familiarity between the Pistons’ and Pelicans’ front offices. The least Joe Dumars and Weaver should be doing is talking to Duren and the Pistons. It might be that the asking price is too high, but they should be inquiring.
Acquiring Jalen Duren would not only give the Pelicans a star center for right now, but for years to come.
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