Kings Linked To Jalen Duren Amid Pistons Drama

Marc Spears reported that Jalen Duren likes Scott Perry and Sacramento as the Kings monitor a complicated Pistons situation.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sep 15, 2026, 9:19 AM

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 17: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons and teammates look on from the be...

Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons and teammates look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings continued to be linked with Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren. ESPN’s Marc Spears discussed Jalen Duren’s situation with the Detroit Pistons on NBA Today, mentioning the Kings as a potential team to watch if things continue to go sideways in Detroit.

“Scott Perry ain’t playing around,” Spears said. “Neither is B.J. Armstrong.”

Spears noted that Perry has a relationship with Duren dating back to his time with the Knicks, when New York drafted Duren before trading him to Detroit on draft night. Spears also mentioned Perry’s football ties through his father, and Duren’s agent’s NFL connections. Spears also said Duren likes Perry and Sacramento.

“Duren likes Scott Perry a lot,” Spears said. “He likes Sacramento a lot, but the Pistons, they’re focused on bringing him back. They have some optimism, but it’s complicated.”

While finances are the primary reason he isn’t currently signed, it may go beyond that by now. Spears said Duren feels disrespected by how his restricted free agency has been handled.

The Pistons are still expected to try to figure it out, and it would be surprising if Detroit let a talented young center walk away. But if Duren were to take the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, the Kings could have a real path into the conversation.

The Drive Guys with Whitey Gleason and Allen Stiles discussed Spears’ reporting and what it could mean for Sacramento.

“It just feels unnecessary,” Stiles said of the situation. “It feels like the exact opposite types of vibes that you should have after a great season.”

If Duren eventually becomes available, Sacramento’s expected cap space would matter, and they currently have significant contracts that Perry is tasked with either moving on from via trade or waiting for them to expire.

“It sounds like to this point, Scott Perry is doing just about everything he possibly can to increase the Kings’ odds,” Gleason said.

Still, the Kings landing Duren feels unlikely as Detroit ultimatley controls the conversation unless the young big is truly willing to accept the qualifying offer. But there’s been enough linking that it does seem like something worth monitoring.