Is Jalen Duren the best FA fit?

Since the start of free agency, 22-year-old, All-NBA center Jalen Duren has been in a contract standoff with the Detroit Pistons.

The 6-foot-10 big man averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists while playing 70 games for Detroit in his 2025-2026 campaign. These numbers led to the big man getting his first All-Star and All-NBA nods last season. But in the playoffs his numbers dropped drastically, the big man averaged 10.1 points and 8.3 rebounds over 12 games in the playoffs.

Since that game 7 loss, Duren has been seeking a max contract worth up to $287.1 million over 5 years. The Pistons aren't willing to offer that though, especially with the huge collapse Duren had in the post-season.

Since trading away fan favorite Ivica Zubac, the Clippers have had a hole at center. They tried filling it with veteran Brook Lopez and rookie Yanic Niederhauser. Lopez's age and mobility hurt the Clippers in their Play-In loss against the Warriors as he was attacked in the pick-and-roll numerous times. Niederhauser showed flashes of being an energetic big man, but he went down March 4th, with a torn ligament in his foot.

This is where Duren can step in and help the Clippers immediately. Even with the underwhelming playoff performance, he showed that he could be an all-star level player even with Cunningham out of the lineup. Duren averaged 22.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over 13 games with Cunningham sidelined due to a mild collapsed left lung.

Duren joining the Clippers makes sense for both parties. For the Clippers, it helps fill in the gap at the Center position and helps provide the Clippers a chance to win games now and in the future. He also helps in the Rebounding department. Lopez averaged 4.8 rebounds over 40 games as a starter last year, Duren gives the Clippers a +5.8 in that department with a chance of even more. Duren also fits the timeline of the All-Stars Brandon Ingram and Darius Garland who want to win now, while also fitting the timeline of 5th overall pick in the 2026 draft Keaton Wagler. The Clippers were also 7th in 3-point percentage last year at 36.8%. This helps Duren get more open looks at the rim off pick-and-rolls or set plays where he is a screener. A big 3 of Garland, Duren, and Ingram doesn't sound like a huge game changer off their names. But, if you look at the skill set of each player and the team they have currently, the fit Duren creates is undeniable.

How do the Clippers get Duren? First option is letting go or creating a sign and trade deal with Benedict Mathurin. But the Clippers would still have to let go of someone else to make the financials work. I say they attempt to move off of Lopez's contract or even Derrick Jones Jr.'s contract. Doing this will allow Duren to sign with the Clippers with a contract he'd prefer.

The Clippers need to focus on the future with Wagler and the present with Garland and Ingram and getting Duren does that. For the Clippers, they should offer a 3-year deal worth $130 million, with a team option in the last year. This type of deal gives the Clippers time to focus on winning now, while also seeing if Duren is a long-term fit beside Wagler. If Duren takes this deal, he can build his stock up and join a 2029 free agency class and make a lot more money than he is seeking currently. The Clippers can bet on his ceiling, while Duren bets on himself. For both sides, this is a great way to shake up the league and put the Clippers back in playoff contenders in the Western Conference.