Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

[Haynes] BREAKING: Due to sizable distance apart in negotiations, Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren will meet with the Sacramento Kings at the start of free agency with the intentions of structuring a sign-&-trade out of Detroit.

Duren is a situation where I'm confused about the what and why.

Unless the reported deal DET offered him was misstated, it was as much as any other team could offer: 4 years, 25% max, 5% raises. So he's angling for a trade in which he gets that same contract and DET gets his value back from SAC in trade (gutting the meh SAC roster where he plays on a loser), or an offer sheet in which he gets that same offer sheet and DET can match? 

I'm not convinced he's even worth the offer DET made in the 1st place. It's a team. Lots of mouths to feed there soon. And he wants even more?

I just don't get it.