As the Washington Wizards hosted media day on Sept. 28, there was a feeling of brevity in the air.
AJ Dybansta walked around with a wide grin on his face, the team’s future star. Anthony Davis appeared for the first time in a Wizards uniform, speaking of a desire to “change the narrative” surrounding the franchise.
After one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the theme seemed simple: bringing competitiveness back to Washington, D.C.
It’s the same mindset that is likely behind the biggest news of Media Day: the Wizards’ reported interest in Detroit Pistons star big man Jalen Duren, who is a restricted free agent. ESPN writer Marc Spears reported that Washington is one of four teams expected to be in the mix for Duren if he chooses to demand a sign-and-trade.
A trade for the All-Star would certainly add to Washington’s competitiveness. But the consequences, given the team’s current timeline, could be disastrous.
By trading for Duren, the Wizards would risk a serious setback after years of careful roster construction — a risk not worth taking.
Jalen Duren’s postseason showed his flaws
At his best, Duren could be the top player on Washington’s roster. His efficiency around the rim during the regular season made him one of the best players in the NBA, while also controlling the glass with ease. He was sixth in the NBA with 10.5 rebounds per game and fourth with a 65% field goal percentage.
That’s without mentioning the potential that Duren brings on defense. At a bulky 250 pounds, he can struggle against twitchier, more athletic bigs, but he has shown flashes as a shot-blocker and rim protector.
Both of the areas where Duren thrived last year are areas where Washington sorely needs help. And yet, the star’s struggles in the postseason should give the team pause about acquiring him.
Duren fell apart offensively in the 2026 playoffs, looking like a completely different player.
The physicality he showed around the rim during the regular season was gone when facing talented athletes like the Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley. He went from almost 11.5 shot attempts per game to just 7.8, constantly hesitant to battle for the ball on the interior.
If the Wizards are going to give up multiple picks to acquire Duren, they’ll likely expect the regular- season version of him. The entire reasoning behind his acquisition would be to improve the 26th-ranked rebounding team in the NBA (41.9 per game) and the 23rd-ranked team in points in the paint (47.7 per game)
For a Wizards squad with long-term playoff hopes, acquiring a big man with a complicated postseason past is not encouraging. The reward could be high given Duren’s talent, but a failure to pan out could tank Washington’s playoff hopes.
The Pistons’ star could come with a heavy price
Duren’s postseason struggles are enough to cause concern. But the potential price is even more reason for Washington to stay away.
Recent sign-and-trades have cost a pretty penny. The Utah Jazz received two first-round picks and two swaps for Walker Kessler, who played just five games last season, and former Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson garnered a first-round pick from Cleveland.
To acquire Duren, it would likely take multiple picks along with a core player. For the Wizards, that’d likely mean parting ways with either Alex Sarr or Davis.
While Duren certainly has a higher ceiling than Davis at this point in his career, the Wizards have the veteran for one more year before his $62.7 million player option in 2027. This means that they can easily shed his salary if he doesn’t pan out, instead of being locked into a younger player like Duren long-term.
It also could be argued that the Pistons’ star has more potential than Sarr. But at just 21 years old, it’s unlikely that Washington truly looks to move on from their young big. His improvement every year of his career signals a potential leap, maybe even greater than Duren’s this past season.
The cost of dealing for Duren makes a move for him unrealistic, as Washington seeks to smartly build for the future.
Add us as a preferred source on Google