1 Realistic Blockbuster Trade That Should Happen Before NBA Season

At this point of the 2026 NBA offseason, there are mostly just a few T's to cross and a couple of I's to dot.

Except for, you know, that 22-year-old All-NBA performer who remains without a deal.

That player is Jalen Duren, whose restricted free agency was unfortunately preceded by a big playoff flop—and a huge breakout season right before it.

Clearly, there have been complications in squaring both developments, to the point that negotiations between Duren and the Detroit Pistons have reportedly taken an "awfully nasty" turn, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

The gap between Duren's assessment of his value, fueled by that breakout, and Detroit's, shaped by his postseason struggles, may be too wide to bridge.

So, if the business of basketball has caused irreparable damage to this relationship, then a bold sign-and-trade might be the right business move to make.

Trade Details

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Detroit Pistons receive: Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner and 2031 first-round pick (top-five protected)

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jalen Duren (sign-and-trade)

Why the Pistons Do It

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The Pistons know plenty about Duren.

They know he deftly handled a starring role in their most successful regular season in 20 years. They know he is a highly impactful presence on both ends and shares a close bond with franchise centerpiece Cade Cunningham.

And they know—or can at least reasonably project—that, at 22 years old, Duren's best seasons are still in front of him.

They also happen to know they aren't comfortable giving him the kind of contract he wants. Or maybe anything close to it. They also know their offense will face spacing concerns as long as Duren (0-for-6 from three in his career) shares a frontcourt with fellow building block Ausar Thompson (38-of-186).

They may have serious concerns about the long-term viability of this combo. They know they'd be locked into it if they met Duren's contract demands (or came close to them) and ironed out an extension with Thompson. And they know if they don't give Duren the offer he wants, they could lose control of this situation should he wind up signing the qualifying offer and thus paving a path to 2027 unrestricted free agency.

This deal offers a way out. Moreover, it just might help build a more cohesive lineup, even with Detroit trading away the most talented player in the exchange.

Myles Turner's blend of paint protection and floor spacing could create a more optimized frontcourt fit with Thompson. Ryan Rollins, meanwhile, spent his 2025-26 breakout looking every bit like the secondary scorer and shot-creator that Cunningham so badly needs alongside him. Only 13 players averaged 17 points, five assists and 2.5 three-pointers this past season; Rollins was one of them—and the second-youngest of the group.

Even if Turner is probably overpaid (three years, $83.6 million left on his deal), and Rollins is responsible for only one notable season through four NBA campaigns, that's still a solid haul for someone the Pistons don't want to (over)pay. Especially when there's a lightly protected future first tacked on to help lessen the blow for fans who will struggle to figure out why their franchise, fresh off a 60-win effort, just cut ties with a 22-year-old All-Star.

Why the Bucks Do It

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As soon as Milwaukee split from Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, it got busy forming its next foundation. And honestly, it's possible this club's competitive window opens quicker than people think.

Hometown star Tyler Herro is a 26-year-old with a recent All-Star selection on his resume. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a 25-year-old who was just runner-up for an end-of-season award. Even incoming lottery pick Brayden Burries is a soon-to-be 21-year-old whose scouting report featured NBA readiness among his greatest strengths.

If nothing else, this is a young core that could grow intriguing sooner than later—especially if the front office turbo-charged it with a talent like Duren.

While the Bucks would have to ink a sizable pact with the bouncy big man, the trade cost would look quite favorable for a 22-year-old star.

Turner, who will be 31 in March, underwhelmed during the first season of a big four-year contract. Rollins has proved little to this point beyond an ability to post big numbers on a 50-loss team.

Even that draft pick should not sting too badly, since the Bucks would still have Miami's 2031 first-rounder to dangle if they felt less bullish about their own long-term outlook.

That's not a nothing package, obviously, but it also isn't what you'd expect to see for a player as young and accomplished as Duren. Given what he and his team just achieved last season, he'd be a no-brainer keeper under almost any other circumstance. This contract stalemate, however, may have created an opportunity for the right buyer.

Why couldn't that be the Bucks? They aren't a free agent destination, so they'd only normally have access to a player like this by acing a draft pick. Duren fits Milwaukee's long-term timeline.

Plus, letting go of Rollins would give more clarity to a guard group that would still feature Herro, Burries, 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakučionis and 26-year-old Kevin Porter Jr., who just averaged 17.4 points and 7.4 assists.

Add Duren to this group, and the foundation would feel surprisingly solid for a franchise that just traded away its longtime face. Ace a couple of developmental projects (like Jakučionis, Nate Ament, Kel'el Ware and Ousmane Dieng), and the Bucks might be ready to rise right when several Eastern Conference elites start aging out of the top tier.