Could Clippers Complicate Kings Pursuit of Jalen Duren?

Name: Could Clippers Complicate Kings Pursuit of Jalen Duren? - Sactown Sports
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Matt George explains how the Clippers could emerge as another option if Jalen Duren reaches UFA, potentially complicating the Kings’ pursuit.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sep 16, 2026, 10:13 AM

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Watch: Are The Los Angeles Clippers A Threat To Steal Jalen Duren From The Sacramento Kings | 36 mins

The Sacramento Kings have continued to be linked to Jalen Duren, but they may not be the only team willing to make a significant push if the young center eventually reaches unrestricted free agency.

On the latest episode of the Matt George Podcast, Locked On Clippers podcast host Dime joined Matt to discuss where Los Angeles goes after losing significant future draft capital and whether that could push the organization toward being aggressive in free agency with a player like Jalen Duren.

The Detroit Pistons center remains an unsigned restricted free agent, and the Kings have continued to surface as a team to watch if he eventually accepts the qualifying offer and becomes unrestricted next offseason.

With the Clippers potentially having significant cap space of their own, Matt asked whether Los Angeles could become another team willing to throw major money at Duren. “I think (the Clippers) could be a threat,” Dime said.

Drafted at 18, Duren is still only 22 years old, which separates him from many of the other potential names available. Whatever team acquires him, if he were to leave Detroit, would be landing what they hope is a franchise centerpiece to build around moving forward.

For the Kings, adding Duren is intriguing because of the opportunity to pair him long-term with rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. The Kings have begun shifting toward a younger roster around Acuff while still carrying veterans like Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.

If Duren does make it to unrestricted free agency, Sacramento would need to clear their books in order to have space to sign him to a max or near-max deal. More teams are projected to have cap space next offseason, including the Clippers.

Detroit can still reach a long-term agreement with Duren, and that still seems most likely. Duren would be taking on significant risk by accepting the qualifying offer.

But the possibility of another team with money and a need for a young center is worth keeping in mind as the Kings continue to be linked to him.

Sacramento opens the season against Los Angeles, setting up an early matchup between Acuff and Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler. Dime said Clippers fans were actually higher on Acuff before the draft, making their first matchup something he expects L.A. fans to pay close attention to.

“There’s going to be crazy knee-jerk reactions if Acuff completely outplays Wagler in Game One,” Dime said.

Listen to all episodes of Sactown Sports’ The Matt George Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and watch each episode on SactownSports.com, the Sactown Sports app, or the Sactown Sports YouTube page.