Proposed Trade Idea Solves Knicks Center Issues By Acquiring Jalen Duren

The New York Knicks look all set to push for a championship starting next season. Jalen Brunson has emerged as the No. 1 option the team needs to be a perennial contender surrounded by All-Star forward Julius Randle, complementary role-players, and new acquisition Mikal Bridges . The team has pushed their chips to the middle and is looking to win a title as soon as possible.

The move to acquire Bridges and extend OG Anunoby cost the Knicks the ability to bring back Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed a massive offer to join the OKC Thunder. While the Knicks still have Mitchell Robinson, his perennial injuries have constrained the franchise, with Hartenstein's center play a huge reason behind their success last year. As a result, they could invest in a young center from the Pistons to grow with their championship unit.

Trade Details

New York Knicks Receive: Jalen Duren

Detroit Pistons Receive: Miles McBride, 2025 First-Round Pick (DET), 2025 Second-Round Pick (BOS/MEM), 2026 Second-Round Pick (NYK), 2026 Second-Round Pick (GSW), 2027 Second-Round Pick (MIN)

The Knicks fork out four second-round picks and lift the obligation on the Pistons' 2025 first-round draft pick to enable the acquisition of Jalen Duren . They'll have to part with talented young guard Miles McBride but signed Cameron Payne to give them guard depth and fill that role while Duren and Robinson form a fierce center rotation.

The Knicks Ensure They Have Size On Their Roster

This deal carries risk for the Knicks, as they're trading away most of their remaining Draft capital outside one first-round pick and a smattering of invaluable seconds. If they acquire Duren, he has to be a part of their long-term core otherwise this could be a costly misstep. McBride also played a prominent role last season, so parting with him won't be an easy decision either.

Duren averaged 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last season, developing into a promising traditional rim-protecting and rebounding center. The Knicks already have that with Robinson, but his injury fragility means the Knicks need an elite option that can absorb his responsibilities when he's gone. This would indicate the Knicks are also replacing Robinson if he continues to hurt the team's success by being unreliable.

Size is becoming a valuable asset in the NBA, especially in a Conference like the East where contenders have to go through the likes of Joel Embiid , Giannis Antetokounmpo , and Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis doesn't shine on the same level as the other two, but is a far more talented big than what most teams in the East have, and he's the fifth option for the Celtics.

Having the optionality of both Robinson and Duren will protect both from wear and tear while also creating 48 minutes of high-level center play.

The Pistons Refocus For The 2025 Draft And Streamlining Their Core

The Detroit Pistons are trying to build something but have been consistently one of the worst teams in the NBA for the better part of five seasons now. Duren is about to become a hard-sell for the Pistons as part of their long-term core given the presence of non-shooters Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. The team won't move off either anytime soon, especially Ausar, and can't play a sensible lineup with three non-shooters surrounding Cade Cunningham .

Ausar has shown tremendous versatility and looks to be a solidified member of the team's core while Holland will have to be given a chance to develop over the next few years. It's not good for either of them to also have to develop next to Duren, as all three non-shooters will contract space for each other. Adding a versatile guard like McBride to continue furnishing the offense behind Cunningham could be a better bet.

McBride averaged 8.3 points on 41.0% from three last season. While he might not be an option for the Pistons' future core, he's a solid trade option for the future to generate more assets out of this deal. His ability as a floor-spacer will be a great addition to lighten the load on players like Cunningham.

Ultimately, the Pistons have somehow drafted themselves into a situation with too many poor young lottery picks on the roster, with at least one required to make way for the others to be able to develop on the NBA court. Duren is that choice here, as preparing to get a more versatile big man to accentuate their core could be the better option. They could land that big via trade or by tanking and possibly landing Cooper Flagg next Draft.

The Knicks Push Towards A Title While The Pistons Re-Tool Their Core

The Knicks would be a genuine championship contender with the reliability of a big man like Duren. He has a developing passing touch which could help him adjust to a more advanced offensive system in New York, though he'll be mostly called upon to do what he does well: provide scoring from the center spot while being a double-digit rebounder. The perimeter defense on the Knicks could also allow him to be a more focused rim protector.

The Pistons can't possibly expect to develop Holland, Thompson, and Duren on the same floor. That would be unfair to all three prospects and unfair to Cade Cunningham, who'll have to accept a greater offensive load to cover the shortcomings of the youngsters around him. Holland and Thompson are still developing shots, so moving off Duren to find a more compatible center for their roster would be the ideal solution.

Detroit anyway seems committed to being in the tank for another season with the strength of the 2025 Draft Class. Moving off Duren could also make going to the bottom of the standings an easier process while acquiring future assets from the Knicks.

Related: Grade The Trade: Knicks Land Rudy Gobert In A Surprising Mock Deal With The Timberwolves

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