DHJ Quick Take: Pistons and Celtics Exploring Brown-for-Duren Sign-and-Trade
- A High-Stakes Roster Swap: The Detroit Pistons are actively weighing a sign-and-trade package centered on restricted free agent big man Jalen Duren to acquire three-time All-Star Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
- Mutual Motivation to Deal: Duren is highly receptive to a move after being underwhelmed by Detroit’s initial free-agency offer, while the Celtics are highly motivated to find a premier “big man” to anchor their frontcourt.
- Tensions Fueling Brown’s Market: Following Boston’s failed attempt to swap him for Giannis Antetokounmpo, insiders suggest Brown could be completely seething over his inclusion in trade rumors—reminiscent of his frustration during Kevin Durant trade talks back in 2022.
The Detroit Pistons are weighing the prospect of signing-and-trading Jalen Duren to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Duren is a restricted free agent, while the Celtics are willing to trade Brown for a big man.
Duren was underwhelmed by the Pistons’ initial offer in restricted free agency and is planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The one-time All-Star averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this past season while shooting 65.0% from the field. He recorded 41 double-doubles.
The Pistons beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of this year’s playoffs in seven games but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round in seven games. Duren, 22, averaged only 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game against the Magic and Cavaliers.
A Memphis product, Duren was the 13th overall pick in the 2022 draft. He holds career averages of 13.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in the regular season. It will be fascinating to see if he remains with the Pistons or joins a new team this offseason.
One of the best two-way players in the NBA, Brown will make $57.1 million next season. He signed a five-year, $285 million extension with the Celtics in 2023.
The 2024 Finals MVP, Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for the Celtics this past season. The five-time All-Star put up 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, but Boston lost to Philadelphia in seven games.
Brown holds career averages of 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in the regular season and 19.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in the playoffs. The California product was the third overall pick in the 2016 draft.
Boston offered Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded to the Miami Heat. Brown was upset when his name came up in Kevin Durant trade talks in 2022, so it would be unsurprising if he were seething now, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
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