The New York Knicks are looking for a new centre and may resort to the NBA trade market to meet their needs. Isaiah Hartenstein left New York for the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.
The Knicks still have Mitchell Robinson on the roster, but the center’s recent injury history raises concerns. Robinson appeared in only 31 games during the 2023-24 season. At the very least, the Knicks should have some additional insurance behind Robinson.
SNY.TV’s David Vertsberger compiled a list of the top big guys who could be trade targets, including Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren.
What would it take for the Knicks to get the former NBA lottery pick? Vertsberger believes that a trade deal consisting of three protected first-round picks and some future second-round picks could suffice.
Could the Pistons be open to trading Jalen Duren to the Knicks?
It is difficult to see things being worse in Detroit. The concept of acquiring future draft capital in return for Duren may be enticing, given that the Pistons figure to have a long road ahead of them before they can resume competing.
“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 wrote in a July 24, 2024, article entitled “5 potential Knicks trades for a centre 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 wants to move on from him to make room, New York might take a chance on an intriguing potential who won’t face too much pressure coming off the bench. Their trade exception can cover his salary, and with minimal draft capital, they can move three of their protected picks to other clubs, along with seconds and possibly a future swap.”
Pistons Centre Jalen Duren averaged a double-double during the previous NBA season.
Duren is a good fit for the Knicks for three reasons: his potential as a former lottery pick, his team-friendly deal, and his starting experience. The Charlotte Hornets selected Duren with the 13th pick in the 2022 NBA draft before moving him to the Detroit Pistons.
Duren averaged a double-double in 60 starts for Detroit last season. In 61 games from 2023-24, the big man averaged 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Duren would join the Knicks on a four-year, $19.4 million rookie contract that benefits the organization. Duren has two seasons remaining on his contract and will be a restricted free agency in 2026. The centre carries a $4.5 million cap hit in 2024-25.
Vertsberger mentioned Duren as a possible backup centre for the Knicks. However, the big guy has the potential to compete for a starting berth in New York, especially with the increase in talent that would surround Duren in the Big Apple.
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