With training camp fast approaching, several Central Division teams still have a few questions to answer. Jalen Duren’s contract situation is still unresolved in Detroit; Victor Oladipo has been seen as an option for the Chicago Bulls, and the Pistons are even connected to Michael Porter Jr. as a potential future trade target.
The biggest storyline ongoing is Duren’s restricted free agency, but there appears to be a little more optimism about that agreement. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that the financial difference between Duren and the Pistons isn’t as big as it was previously believed.
“I mean, as far as the state of affairs, I don’t know which way it’s going to go. There is a gap. It’s not as big as I thought it was before having a few recent conversations. It seems like there’s, you know, there’s a window here to get something done and put him back in a Pistons jersey.”
“I think what’s interesting is, like, the QO (qualifying offer) has become such a nuclear option for players and also for teams that it’s fair to wonder, like, ‘Man, if they can’t completely bridge that gap, how do both sides feel about the QO?'” Amick continued. “Because, even from a human standpoint, we, as you guys know, haven’t seen a lot of people successfully take that route.”
Duren has been seeking more than $40 million a year, and the Pistons have been around $35 million per season. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon recently put the Pistons’ offer in the ballpark of $180 million over five years. The alternative is Duren accepting the $9.6 million qualifying offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent next season. This has been described as a nuclear option because of the risk it carries for both sides. The Kings do remain an interested party in a sign-and-trade possibility, or even a potential 2027 destination, because they can create the most max cap space then, but the Pistons have reportedly had no interest in a sign-and-trade as of now.
There could be another twist in the tale, as another insider is reporting something a little different. Even if he signs a long-term contract, there is no guarantee he stays with the franchise long-term. Brett Siegel said on the Clutch Scoops podcast that he views Duren as a future trade candidate regardless of what contract he’s on.
“To me, I think the answer is no. I don’t think that if he signs a long-term contract, he’s going to finish that contract with the Pistons.”
Duren’s camp doesn’t see the center being properly valued in Detroit, with the organization reportedly viewing Ausar Thompson as the second most important player behind Cade Cunningham. For Detroit, this makes resolving the situation more than just agreeing on a number. Repairing this relationship could be just as important.
Victor Oladipo remains without an NBA team, but Andrew Hanlon of Pippen Ain’t Easy thinks the Bulls should use their final roster spot on the veteran guard. Oladipo, who’s 34, has not played in the NBA since the 2022-23 season after dealing with a series of major injuries, but he recently made his comeback intentions very clear in The Players’ Tribune.
“To say to any GM who’s willing to listen: I believe my body is finally right. I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly, WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I’m asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it.”
Hanlon thinks that the Bulls could use this opportunity. They already have Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, and Norman Powell as proven guard options, but younger players are still surrounded by uncertainty. It is important to note this is rather a proposal than a report that the Bulls are actually pursuing Oladipo. The Heat have been touted as a frequent connection with the former guard, but Hanlon argues that the Heat’s win-now situation following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade could make the Bulls a better fit.
The Bucks seem to be ready to move on from Myles Turner as they’re trying to reshape the roster following Antetokounmpo’s departure, but finding a trade partner has been proving difficult. According to ESPN’s Ben Golliver, the Bucks have not yet found a taker for Turner, who signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the team last season.
“They haven’t yet found a taker for Myles Turner, who was signed to a four-year, $107 million contract last summer in a failed attempt to appease Antetokounmpo.”
Turner’s contract is making finding a deal a lot more challenging. He also has a 15% trade kicker, which increases the complications for any team that wants to take on the remaining money.
Detroit’s next major addition could potentially come during the season. Cem Yolbulan of Detroit Jock City sees Michael Porter Jr. as a player that the Pistons should consider going after if the Nets do make him available. The possibility has gained momentum because of comments from Anthony Slater on the ‘Third Apron’ podcast. They have said that Porter’s tenure in Brooklyn could be coming to an end soon.
“I think his Nets tenure might be coming to a close shortly. It just seems like they’re apart in contract negotiations, and I don’t see them holding him past the trade deadline without an extension. I’ve seen some Nets fans posit that they could hold him past the trade deadline and let him go into unrestricted free agency; if they want to keep him, they still have some of the most cap space in the league.”
“But I think that’s a little too risky. So, I think they’ll probably move him at the trade deadline, and that’s what I have been hearing, dating back a little bit. I think they are viewing him more as a trade asset as opposed to a long-term piece. And I think the way these negotiations have played out so far has underscored that.”
Porter is entering the final season of his contract at a $40.9 million salary and is extension-eligible. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, trading the 28-year-old rather than risking losing him for free would be logical.
The Cavaliers might not be finished adding to their roster before training camp, with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst seeing Kevin Love as a potential veteran frontcourt option to watch. According to Windhorst, the Cavaliers are searching for additional size behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and that could open the door for Love to return to the franchise.
“The Cavs are looking for a big man and Kevin Love is out there (in free agency). That’s a guy to keep an eye on for Cleveland.”
Love spent last season with the Jazz, and at this stage of his career, the Cavaliers are not going to bring in someone who’s going to occupy a significant role. Instead, he could provide insurance behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, along with championship experience for a team looking to contend in the Eastern Conference. His former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, is also being touted as a potential destination for Kevin Love.
With the Cavaliers seemingly appearing to be okay with making another run with their current core, financial difficulties might force them to make a major decision next offseason, with Jarrett Allen being the player who is most likely to be moved. NBA insider Sean Deveney reported that the Cavaliers’ current salary structure is not sustainable under the second apron, even after the front office successfully maneuvered this offseason.
“The Cavaliers managed to finagle their way under the second apron while adding Peyton Watson to the roster. It was great work, but it is unsustainable with the second apron. Someone likely will need to go by next summer, and Allen is the most likely.”
But that doesn’t mean the Cavaliers are actively trying to trade Allen now. Deveney’s reporting points to a decision that could come as soon as next summer, as the Cavaliers attempt to manage a very expensive roster.
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