It was reported on Friday morning that the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons might explore a massive sign-and-trade scenario that would send Jaylen Brown to Detroit and bring All-Star center Jalen Duren to Boston.
According to senior NBA insider Chris Haynes, writing on X, the Pistons are making it clear they have no intention of moving Duren and are instead fully committed to reaching a deal that keeps their All-Star big man in place.
After the Celtics recently came up empty in their pursuit of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks despite reportedly putting forward a package built around Brown Boston has been left to shift its focus elsewhere.
Brown could still very well be traded, and the Celtics have been regularly mentioned in rumors connecting them to New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III and Bucks big Myles Turner, among a number of other names.
Still, Duren would arguably represent the most significant acquisition for Boston, if they were somehow able to extract him from Detroit.
Not only are the Pistons considered one of the top threats to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference, but Boston is also in clear need of a star-caliber center.
Duren checks that box, having wrapped up the 2025–26 season with career-best averages of 19.5 points per game to go with 10.5 rebounds across 28.2 minutes per contest, appearing in 70 games.
The 22-year-old made his first All-Star appearance this year, finished 11th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and also earned Third Team All-NBA honors.
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