Jalen Duren lining up meetings with Kings, Lakers as Pistons talks remain stalled

Jalen Duren isn’t waiting around.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the restricted free agent center plans to meet with the Kings when free agency opens Tuesday.

And per The Athletic’s Sam Amick, he has also scheduled a conversation with the Lakers later that evening, adding another wrinkle to his ongoing contract standoff with the Pistons.

Detroit and Duren remain far apart in negotiations, with multiple reports indicating the 22-year-old is seeking a deal worth roughly $40 million annually — if not the full maximum salary.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Duren is leaving.

The Pistons have maintained throughout the process that they want to retain the All-Star center and can match any offer or negotiate a new deal of their own.

Still, Duren appears intent on exploring every possible avenue.

Because neither Sacramento nor the Lakers project to have the cap room needed to sign him outright, any move would almost certainly require a sign-and-trade.

According to Amick, one potential framework involving the Kings could center on Domantas Sabonis, though there’s no indication such an arrangement is close.

Duren, 22, averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while earning his first All-Star selection and All-NBA Third Team honors last season. His production dipped in the playoffs, however, fueling questions about what his next contract should look like.