Kings, Bucks showing serious interest in Jalen Duren

Jalen Duren believes he will have options if he decides that his time with the Pistons should end.

The Kings have signaled a willingness to offer Duren a maximum-salary contract next summer, while the Bucks are among at least two additional teams with serious interest in the All-NBA center, according to Sam Amick, Hunter Patterson and Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Those teams reportedly have interest in Duren now and potentially next offseason.

That doesn’t mean Detroit is actively negotiating a trade with Sacramento, Milwaukee or anyone else. The Pistons have strongly resisted sign-and-trade discussions throughout the summer.

It does help explain why Duren has been willing to reject Detroit’s fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million offer.

Duren has until Oct. 1 to accept his $9.6 million qualifying offer. Doing so would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and give him veto power over any trade during the coming season.

The Kings’ willingness to discuss a future maximum contract gives Duren reason to believe that unrestricted free agency could produce the deal and destination he wants. Interest from Milwaukee and at least one other team only strengthens that confidence.

Interest, however, is not money in the bank. Duren has a guaranteed $200 million available today. His alternative is to bet on his health, production and a market that cannot formally pay him until later.

The market appears real. The risk remains his.