Kings eye Duren for 2027 free agency as sign-and-trade stalls

Kings general manager Scott Perry has already dined with Jalen Duren and wants Sacramento in position to pursue him if he reaches unrestricted free agency next summer.

ESPN's Anthony Slater and Brian Windhorst reported this on The Hoop Collective podcast. Detroit has shown no interest in a sign-and-trade for its starting center.

Duren and the Pistons remain far apart on a new deal, with Duren seeking at least $40 million a year against Detroit's $35 million offer.

Without an agreement, Duren could sign Detroit's $9.6 million qualifying offer or a short deal with a player option to reach the open market in 2027, a path ESPN and RealGM both call unlikely since Detroit would rather sign him long-term.

Slater noted Sacramento could have max cap space next year once Zach LaVine's contract expires, making Duren a target if he bets on himself for one more season in Detroit.

Duren DET → SAC

+ 8 reports from 4 outlets

Heavy · 15 Sept 2026Duren open to Sacramento, values Scott Perry tie over money

Heavy · 11 Sept 2026Duren sees Sacramento as landing spot once Pistons saga ends

Fadeaway World · 6 Sept 2026Kings floated as future landing spot if Duren splits from Detroit

Heavy · 3 Sept 2026Duren's free agency could circle back to Clippers in 2027

Fadeaway World · 3 Sept 2026Clippers eyed as 2027 landing spot if Duren extension talks fail

Heavy · 3 Sept 2026Kings eyeing Duren for 2026 if he takes Pistons' QO

Sportando · 2 Sept 2026Kings eye Duren for 2027 free agency as sign-and-trade stalls

RealGM · 2 Sept 2026Duren's 2027 free agency path could still lead to Sacramento

Jalen Duren

Related updates

ESPN ↗· 4 Oct 2026

Contract signing · DET

Done deal

Duren says he's glad talks with Pistons didn't blow up deal

Jalen Duren said he's relieved to be back with Detroit after negotiations that at times looked shaky. He called the city home and expressed excitement about staying put.

ESPN ↗· 2 Oct 2026

Extension · DET

Done deal

Duren agrees to fully guaranteed 5-year, $200M deal with Detroit

Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, fully guaranteed $200 million extension with Detroit, agent Chafie Fields told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Heavy ↗· 1 Oct 2026

Free agency · DET

Developing

Duren's camp seen as done with Detroit as deadline looms

ESPN's Shams Charania reports Jalen Duren faces three choices before his qualifying offer deadline: sign a five-year, $200 million deal, take a one-year $9.6 million qualifying offer, or do nothing and stay a restricted free agent holdout.