The New York Knicks are seeking a new center and might turn to the NBA trade market to fill this need. They lost Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.
Although the Knicks still have Mitchell Robinson, his recent injury history is concerning, having played only 31 games during the 2023-24 season. To ensure depth behind Robinson, the Knicks should consider acquiring additional support.
David Vertsberger of SNY.TV compiled a list of top big men who could be potential trade targets, including Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons.
Katz "DET claims Paul Reed…🤔
"They've def been taking calls on Isaiah Stewart
"And I think they’re more open to moving Jalen Duren than you'd expect—“
Popper "Heard from NYK people at time [22 Draft] really liked Duren…”
Katz "Wonder if that's why DET after [another big]” pic.twitter.com/H7BLTMCJmj
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 11, 2024
What would it take for the Knicks to acquire the former NBA lottery pick? Vertsberger suggests that a trade package of three protected first-round picks and some future second-round picks might suffice.
It is hard to imagine things getting worse in Detroit. The idea of adding future draft capital in exchange for Jalen Duren could be appealing, given that the Pistons appear to have a long road ahead before they can compete again.
“What irony it would be if the Knicks dealt, likely as part of a larger package, the 2025 first-round Bucks pick they received from Detroit for salary dumping Kemba Walker, for the very player they dealt away as part of that trade,” Vertsberger detailed in a July 24, 2024, story titled “5 potential Knicks trades for a center ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.” “Duren’s had a promising but mixed first couple of seasons, and now finds himself in a somewhat cluttered Pistons big man rotation.”
“If Detroit is interested in moving on from him to clear room, New York could take a shot at an intriguing prospect who won’t have overwhelming pressure on him coming off the bench. Their trade exception can swallow his salary, and while they have limited draft capital remaining, they can shop three of their protected picks from other teams, along with seconds and maybe a future swap.”
Pistons Center Jalen Duren Averaged a Double-Double Last NBA Season
For the Knicks, Jalen Duren makes sense for three key reasons: his upside as a former lottery pick, his team-friendly contract, and his experience as a starter. The Charlotte Hornets selected Duren with the No. 13 pick in the 2022 NBA draft before trading him to the Pistons.
Jalen Duren's workout routine is WILD pic.twitter.com/2aCrDOXO3I
— Dunk League (@DunkLeague) July 24, 2024
Duren averaged a double-double last season in 60 games as a starter for Detroit. He posted 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in 61 appearances during the 2023-24 season.
The Knicks would acquire Duren on a team-friendly four-year, $19.4 million rookie contract. He still has two seasons remaining on this deal and would become a restricted free agent in 2026. Duren’s cap hit for the 2024-25 season is $4.5 million.
Vertsberger suggested Duren as a potential backup center for the Knicks. However, the big man has the potential to compete for a starting spot in New York, especially given the upgrade in talent that would surround him in the Big Apple.
