Jalen Duren Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Central Notes: Connaughton, Ball, Cunningham

September 13th, 2022 at 9:59pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Pat Connaughton believes he could have gotten more money in free agency but he wanted to stay with the Bucks. That’s why he exercised his contract option this summer before signing an extension, Eric Nehm of The Athletic writes.

“I think I have the opportunity to potentially make a little bit more elsewhere, but for me, to prolong my career, how do you keep yourself in a position where they value what I do? I value winning,” he said. “I value my teammates and the culture that we’ve built, the organization, the management, the ownership, all of it.”

Connaughton, who received a three-year extension worth $28.3MM in July, added that the team is hungry after getting bounced in the second round of the playoffs by the Celtics last season.

“I think we have a group of guys that are excited to get back out there and excited to play with a chip on our shoulder and not have that same taste in our mouths,” he said. “It’s one of those things where I’ll never forget sitting in Boston after Game 7. You use that as fuel, you use that as hunger and you take a slow, methodical approach to this offseason to making sure you’re putting yourself in the best position to come out on top again.”

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The Bulls are expected to be without their starting point guard, Lonzo Ball, in the early portion of the season due to lingering pain in his surgically repaired left knee. ESPN’s Jamal Collier takes an in-depth look at Ball’s knee issues. Ball hasn’t taken the court since mid-January after originally receiving a projected recovery timeline of eight weeks.
The biggest question regarding Pistons guard Cade Cunningham this season is whether he can develop a consistent 3-point shot, James Edwards III of The Athletic opines. Edwards also considers what second-year forward Isaiah Livers and lottery picks Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren must prove in order for Detroit to be a surprise team this season.
In case you missed it, the Pistons officially signed Micah Potter to an Exhibit 10 contract.

Central Notes: Mitchell, Sexton, Luxury Tax, Duren

September 6th, 2022 at 8:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The blockbuster for Donovan Mitchell abruptly ended the Cavaliers’ rebuilding project while amping up expectations, according to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

For a majority of the offseason, the Cavaliers were seemingly banking on internal improvement via a few minor tweaks. The trade changes that outlook. Lauri Markkanen is the player who will be the most difficult to replace since he was the team’s best option at small forward, Fedor adds.

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Trading Collin Sexton to Utah was the best case scenario for both him and the Cavaliers, Joe Vardon of The Athletic writes. He deserved better from the franchise considering the growing pains they endured. However, the team also earned the right not to overpay for him on his rookie scale extension. He wound up getting a four-year, $72MM contract.
The Cavaliers remain in good shape regarding the salary cap since Kevin Love’s contract expires next summer when Darius Garland’s extension kicks in, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic notes. The timing of these deals will allow them to decide when they enter the luxury tax and begin the repeat offender clock.
The Pistons traded into the lottery to snare center Jalen Duren but he’ll likely spend a majority of the season with the G League’s Motor City Cruise, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. The roster includes several veteran big men and GM Troy Weaver and head coach Dwane Casey are proponents of developing young talent in the G League. Duren at 18 is the youngest player in the league, Langlois notes.

Central Notes: Walker, Stewart, Bulls, Bucks

August 17th, 2022 at 7:31pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Pistons are likely holding onto Kemba Walker to see if he might have any value in a potential trade, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes in a mailbag column. There have been rumors since late June of a buyout agreement for Walker, who was acquired from the Knicks in a trade that was agreed upon on draft night but couldn’t be finalized until the moratorium lifted.

There’s little chance that Walker will play for Detroit, but with training camp almost six weeks away, there’s no urgency to complete a buyout. If the Pistons need to open a spot on their 20-man camp roster, a buyout deal can be done at any time, but for now the team is waiting to see if his $9.2MM contract could be a trade asset.

The Hornets have reportedly shown an interest in bringing back Walker, who was a star in Charlotte for eight seasons. He has been slowed by knee soreness and played just 37 games for New York last season.

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Isaiah Stewart is a “heavy favorite” to be the Pistons‘ starting center again this season, Langlois adds in the same piece. Stewart was used mainly at power forward in Summer League, playing alongside rookie center Jalen Duren. Langlois notes that Duren will need playing time this season, but it may be hard to get at the NBA level with Stewart, Kelly Olynyk, Marvin Bagley III and Nerlens Noel in the same frontcourt. Langlois suggests that Duren may see some time in the G League while he develops his NBA skills.
The Bulls will only have 14 nationally televised games — seven on ESPN, three on TNT and four on NBA TV — which Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic sees as a disappointing number for a playoff team in a major market. Examining Chicago’s schedule, Mayberry notes that a lot of conference tests will come early, with 12 of the Bulls’ first 13 games against Eastern teams.
The Bucks will be on national TV 32 times, per Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, including their season opener October 20 at Philadelphia that will feature a matchup of perennial MVP candidates Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.

Central Notes: I. Mobley, Pistons, Haliburton, Pacers

July 21st, 2022 at 10:16pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Cavaliers rookie two-way player Isaiah Mobley, older brother to 2022 All-Rookie Cleveland center Evan Mobley, enjoyed an impressive Summer League turn. Now, the Cleveland front office is optimistic that the elder Mobley can make an impact on the team’s regular season roster as well, writes Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. He finished his first Summer League experience with a 15-point, 10-rebound game against the Hawks.

The Cavaliers, who finished with their first winning record in four years during the 2021/22 season, drafted the 22-year-old power forward out of USC with the No. 49 pick last month and signed him to a two-way contract. Despite an inconsistent jumper, Mobley was able to aid the Cavaliers’ Summer League roster on the court through playmaking in short stints, grabbing boards, and blocking opponents on defense.

“I mean, he’s comfortable with the ball in his hands,” Summer League head coach Mike Gerrity, an assistant under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff during the regular season, said of Mobley. “So we’re trying to put it in his hands at times to allow him to make the plays. And I think when him and [first-round lottery pick] Ochai [Agbaji] are coming into the dribble-handoff, it’s a really lethal combination, especially out here in summer league. And so, he’s growing, and he’s learning, just like the rest of these guys. But just his decision-making, his ability to make passes, make the right reads, and he’s an unselfish player.”

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After spending the past three seasons languishing with lottery-bound young rosters, the Pistons‘ front office is buzzing about the team’s exciting core, writes Jamal Collier of ESPN. Detroit’s two 2022 lottery picks, shooting guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren, both flashed plenty of promise in this year’s Las Vegas Summer League showcase. “I think we hit a home run,” a team source expressed to Collier. “We positioned ourselves well and [general manager] Troy [Weaver] did a great job of putting guys together on the same timeline… We’ll probably have the youngest team in the league next year, or one of [them], so we have to be careful not to put too much pressure or set expectations. We’ve got great chemistry, and I think we’re going to be in position to make a big jump in wins.” The Pistons project Ivey, the fifth pick out of Purdue, as an ideal backcourt fit alongside 2022 All-Rookie First Team point guard Cade Cunningham.
Despite the fact that the Suns wound up matching the Pacers‘ maximum offer sheet to Phoenix center Deandre Ayton, Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton appreciated his club’s willingness to pony up the dough for such a high-level player, as he told Alex Golden and Mike Facci in a recent episode of the podcast Setting The Pace (hat tip to James Boyd of the Indianapolis Star for the transcription). “Our front office is aggressive to want to get back in the playoffs,” Haliburton said. “They’re aggressive to compete for championships, as they should be, as any organization should be. And obviously they offered DA that deal and he accepted it. I think it would’ve been beneficial because he’s a great player, but Phoenix obviously matched as they probably should and you just kind of move on from it.”
The revamped Pacers will boast a young roster with high upside heading into the 2022/23 season. In another piece (subscriber link), Boyd takes a look at the team’s current personnel, speculating about potential starters and the bench rotation. Boyd also notes that current projected veteran starters Buddy Hield and Myles Turner could be traded before the 2023 deadline.

Central Notes: Duren, Caruso, Dragic, Garland

July 12th, 2022 at 9:48pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The youngest player in the draft, Pistons center Jalen Duren, is making his presence felt in the Vegas Summer League, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. Duren, the 13th overall pick acquired via a three-team deal, had 13 points in 26 minutes against Washington on Saturday.

“When he’s in the game, I think you can feel it,” summer league coach Jordan Brink said. “You can feel it in the gym. They’re not as likely to try to attack the rim. And he’s a constant lob threat every time he’s on the floor. He spaces the floor because he’s a lob threat every time he rolls. So I’ve been ecstatic with the way he’s playing and the way he’s taking coaching.”

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Alex Caruso‘s first season with the Bulls was marred by illness and injuries, most notably a fractured wrist that sidelined him 22 games. He hopes to improve his durability next season, according to Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. “Just trying to gain a little weight, a little muscle on the lower extremities, a little bit on my back,” he said. “And then just, you know, grinding on my game. I’ve been in the gym (for the) last month, month and a half.”
Caruso is excited by the free agent additions of Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic and rookie Dalen Terry, Schaefer writes in a separate story. He’s especially looking forward to absorbing knowledge from Dragic, as they might share the backcourt at times. “I’m excited to get to know him and be his teammate,” Caruso said. “Savvy. That left hand of his is deadly. You let him get to his left, he’s a really, really good player. Good shooter outside, experienced postseason player. I think he’s just a good addition to help the core and the overall team mindset of what we’re going to expect next year.”
Darius Garland signed his five-year max extension over the weekend but the Cavaliers value him for more than just his on-court contributions, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes. “Darius has proven to be a tremendous basketball player and someone who embodies everything a franchise would want in a young player,” president of basketball operations Koby Altman said. “We’ve quickly seen Darius grow into an NBA All-Star and an integral core piece in our pursuit of sustainable success. Both on and off the court, Darius has demonstrated a strong commitment to this organization and the community.”

Pistons Notes: Livers, Bagley, Ivey, Stewart, Duren

July 10th, 2022 at 1:51pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Pistons small forward Isaiah Livers, the No. 42 pick in 2021 out of Michigan, seems to be proving his mettle as an NBA-level talent during the 2022 Las Vegas Summer League, writes James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Edwards praises Livers’s abilities as a long-range shooter, and projects him to potentially make Detroit’s rotation during the 2022/23 NBA season.

Edwards also singles out Livers’s newly refined defensive skillset. Livers saw limited action in his rookie season with Detroit during the 2021/22 season. In 19 games, the 23-year-old averaged 6.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.1 APG and 0.7 SPG across 20.2 MPG. He posted a tantalizing shooting line of .456/.422/.857.

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Former No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley III was pleased to remain with the Pistons on a new three-year, $37MM contract, he told Cassidy Hubbarth of ESPN (Twitter link courtesy of the Detroit News’ Mike Curtis). “I was super excited,” Bagley said. “I love Detroit. I love the fans. I love being in that environment and when it was official, I was excited.”
After injuring his ankle during the first quarter of a Saturday Summer League contest against the Wizards, Pistons rookie shooting guard Jaden Ivey did not return to game action. However, concern seems low among Detroit’s brain trust about the injury, per Rod Beard of the Detroit News. Ivey, who was selected with the fifth pick out of Purdue in this year’s NBA draft, even weighed in himself on Sunday (via Twitter). “[Nothing] major.. I’m good,” he wrote.
The Pistons are hopeful that a starting frontcourt tandem of Isaiah Stewart and rookie center Jalen Duren, the No. 13 pick out of Memphis, can prove effective. The early results in this year’s Las Vegas Summer League have certainly been encouraging, writes Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. The duo combined for 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, 15 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in Detroit’s 105-99 victory over the Wizards on Saturday.

Pistons Sign Jalen Duren To Rookie Contract

July 7th, 2022 at 1:02pm CST by Luke Adams

The Pistons have signed No. 13 overall pick Jalen Duren to his rookie contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). The move comes less than 24 hours after Detroit officially completed its draft-night trade with New York to acquire Duren’s rights.

Duren averaged 12.0 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 2.1 BPG in 29 games (25.3 MPG) during his first and only college season at Memphis, earning AAC Freshman of the Year honors and making the All-AAC First Team.

As our rookie salary chart shows, Duren is set to earn $4.12MM as a rookie and would make $19.47MM over the course of his four-year deal, assuming he received the maximum allowable 120% of the rookie scale, which virtually every first-rounder does.

Twenty-three of this year’s 30 first-round picks have now officially signed their rookie contracts, including Duren and his new Pistons teammate Jaden Ivey.

Knicks, Pistons Complete Jalen Duren, Kemba Walker Trade

July 6th, 2022 at 7:56pm CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks and Pistons have officially completed their part of the draft-night trade involving Kemba Walker and No. 13 overall pick Jalen Duren, according to a press release from the Knicks.

Although the deal was initially reported as a three-team trade involving New York, Detroit, and Charlotte, the Hornets and Knicks finalized their half of the swap on draft night — the Hornets acquired a protected 2023 first-round pick and four future second-rounders in exchange for the rights to Duren.

The trade finalized today sends Walker and the rights to Duren to the Pistons in exchange for the Bucks’ 2025 first-round pick (top-four protected), which Detroit officially acquired earlier today from Portland in its Jerami Grant deal.

The move is the first step toward ensuring that the Knicks have the cap room necessary to completed their signings of Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein. Detroit and New York also agreed to a separate trade that will send Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to the Pistons, creating additional space for the Knicks.

While Walker is on the Pistons’ roster for the time being, he’s expected to hit the waiver wire sometime soon. A report last Thursday indicated that the two sides were finalizing a buyout agreement.

Clippers, Knicks Have Discussed Possible Nerlens Noel Trade

June 28th, 2022 at 10:50am CST by Luke Adams

The Clippers and Knicks have engaged in “exploratory” discussions about a possible trade involving center Nerlens Noel, league sources Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The Knicks are attempting to clear the cap room necessary to make a serious run at free agent point guard Jalen Brunson and have a surplus of future draft picks to offer a team willing to take on Noel’s contract, which will pay him $9.24MM in 2022/23. Moving Noel would increase their projected cap room to approximately $25MM.

The Clippers, meanwhile, have a trade exception big enough to take on Noel’s contract without sending out any salary and may view him as a solid rotation option at center, especially if free agent big man Isaiah Hartenstein doesn’t remain in Los Angeles.

The Clippers already project to be a taxpayer and would increase their luxury tax bill exponentially by adding another $9MM+ contract to their books, but Steve Ballmer is one of the richest owners in sports, so that may not be a pressing concern. The opportunity to help an Eastern Conference club pry away a key free agent from a Western rival may also provide some extra incentive as the Clippers mull a potential deal.

Here’s more from Scotto on free agency and the trade market:

Four NBA executives who spoke to Scotto believe that Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons could sign a contract in the four-year, $80MM range, perhaps with incentives that could further increase its value.
Based on conversations with six league executives, Scotto writes that Warriors center Kevon Looney could command upwards of $9MM per year as a free agent this summer, while guard Gary Payton II could earn $6-7MM annually. Looney is reportedly considered likely to re-sign with Golden State.
On draft night, the Pistons landed center Jalen Duren with the No. 13 pick after agreeing to a deal involving New York and Charlotte. If they hadn’t been able to reach an agreement for the No. 13 pick and Duren slipped to No. 14, the Pistons had discussed offering multiple picks, including a future first-rounder, to the Cavaliers, says Scotto. It’s unclear if Cleveland would’ve had any interest in such an offer.

Central Notes: Ivey, Duren, Beauchamp, Agbaji

June 25th, 2022 at 8:32am CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pistons used the Knicks’ desperation to shed salary as a means of trading for Jalen Duren, James Edwards III of The Athletic explains.

Detroit rebuffed the attempts of New York and other teams to trade for Jaden Ivey after the Purdue guard landed at its lottery pick. Pistons GM Troy Weaver then used the Knicks’ need to open up cap space to make a run at Jalen Brunson against them, as New York traded the No. 11 pick to Oklahoma City for a trio of future first-rounders. A three-team agreement among New York, Detroit and Charlotte was then engineered involving the No. 13 pick, where Duren dropped.

Detroit was content to take on Kemba Walker‘s contract, which it will buy out, according to Edwards. It was a best-case scenario for the Pistons to land Ivey and Duran but they’ll still be big players in free agency, though not necessarily for Deandre Ayton or another big name on the market. They may instead add multiple veteran pieces.

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Ivey said he’s eager to show that he has a mid-range game and can be a defensive force, two of the knocks on him going into the draft. Those were issues talked about in conversations with Weaver and coach Dwane Casey prior to the draft, Edwards writes in a separate story. “They talked about winning, and that’s what I want to do,” Ivey said. “We talked about setting a defensive presence when I get there and bringing back winning to Detroit. (Weaver) challenged me to be a great defender. I want to do that.”
The Bucks selected G League Ignite wing MarJon Beauchamp at No. 24 and GM Jon Horst believes that Beauchamp can make an impact with his defensive tenacity, Eric Nehm of The Athletic writes. “Length, athleticism, I think he’s got a grittiness and a toughness to him,” Horst said. “He’s going to have to work on his strength like any young player. … One thing about the G League is it’s a bunch of fast, quick, athletic guys, and I think he really held his own.”
Wing Ochai Agbaji, chosen with the No. 14 pick, gives the Cavaliers another quality offensive option, coach J.B. Bickerstaff told The Athletic’s Kelsey Russo and other media members. “I thought he could be a weapon. He’s got a skill that no matter where you are in the NBA, you need it,” Bickerstaff said. “He has the ability to put the ball in the basket, and it’s not just the ability to stand in a spot and make a shot.”