SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings remain highly interested in Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren and could create the room to sign him to a max-salary contract next offseason, Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reported Friday.
Duren has three very serious suitors if he reaches unrestricted free agency in 2027, according to league sources cited by The Athletic. Of that group, the Kings appear best positioned. League sources also said the 22-year-old is very seriously considering his $9.6 million qualifying offer from Detroit, which he has until Oct. 1 to sign.
The Athletic reported that Duren views Sacramento as an appealing landing spot, one where he would arrive as an established player next to rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. The Kings drafted Acuff seventh overall in June. A Detroit native, Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists in his lone season at Arkansas and was a first-team All-American. The Kings had not drafted a player that high since taking Keegan Murray fourth overall in 2022.
Sacramento Kings Met With Jalen Duren At Start Of Free Agency
Only a handful of teams had the cap room to sign Duren to a max offer sheet this summer. Duren scheduled meetings with the Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers for the June 30 start of free agency. On Friday, The Athletic reported that Sacramento was at the front of the line when Duren began meeting with outside teams and made clear he was interested in playing elsewhere.
In June, Amick reported that a Kings sign-and-trade would likely send three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis to Detroit. Sabonis had two years and $93 million left on his contract at the time. Along with Sabonis and Murray, Sacramento’s 2026-27 roster includes Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and De’Andre Hunter, according to Basketball Reference.
Detroit Pistons Declined Sign-and-Trade Talks For Jalen Duren
Detroit has been unwilling to engage in sign-and-trade talks with Sacramento or any other team, The Athletic reported. On June 30, a source told The Detroit News that the Pistons had “no interest” in trading Duren.
If Duren signs the qualifying offer, Detroit would have to weigh trading him during the season rather than losing him for nothing next summer, The Athletic reported. The Pistons’ last offer was a five-year deal in the $190 million range. Duren is seeking at least $200 million.
Duren went 13th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Memphis. In 70 games last season, he averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 65% shooting. He was an All-Star and made the All-NBA Third Team for a Detroit team that went 60-22.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, Duren’s qualifying-offer deadline can be pushed back as late as March 1. Detroit opens training camp Sept. 29.
