The Milwaukee Bucks have serious interest in Jalen Duren as the Detroit Pistons center remains locked in a contract stalemate with his current team.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Milwaukee is among multiple teams known to have significant interest in Duren, both ahead of the upcoming season and potentially next summer.
The report adds another layer to Duren’s ongoing negotiations with Detroit. Shams Charania reported Monday on NBA Today that the Pistons and Duren are “at an impasse” and that it remains uncertain whether the 22-year-old will report for media day.
Detroit’s latest reported offer is worth $200 million over five years. Earlier proposals had been in the $180 million to $190 million range and reportedly included incentives, including weight-related clauses.
Duren also has the option of accepting Detroit’s $9.6 million qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season. The October 1 deadline would allow him to enter unrestricted free agency next summer rather than commit to a long-term contract with the Pistons now.
That possibility has become more significant with Sacramento and now Milwaukee among the teams reportedly interested in Duren. A maximum contract from another team next summer could provide Duren with an alternative if he does not reach an agreement with Detroit.
Duren is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 70 games. He shot 65.0% from the field while averaging 3.8 offensive rebounds per game.
His production helped the Pistons finish 60-22 and earn the Eastern Conference’s best regular-season record. Detroit reached the conference semifinals before losing a seven-game series to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Duren’s postseason production was lower, with the center averaging 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over 14 games while shooting 51.4% from the field.
The Bucks, meanwhile, have entered a new phase following their offseason trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. Milwaukee received Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and multiple future draft assets in the blockbuster deal.
Milwaukee also drafted Brayden Burries at No. 10 and Nate Ament at No. 13 while re-signing Gary Trent Jr. to a four-year, $64 million contract and Ousmane Dieng to a three-year deal.
Myles Turner remains the Bucks’ starting center after averaging 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 71 games last season. Ousmane Dieng also appeared at center in 30 games, averaging 11.0 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Adding Duren would represent a significant change in Milwaukee’s frontcourt, but any potential move would depend on his contract situation in Detroit and the structure of a possible deal.
