The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly eyeing Jalen Duren as contract talks with the Detroit Pistons are still unresolved. While there is no clear answer yet on whether the Pistons would be willing to discuss any sign-and-trade scenarios, the Bucks do have an array of assets that could be eye-catching to Detroit, though Milwaukee should make it clear that Ryan Rollins is off the table.
Rollins should be among Bucks' untouchables
If the Pistons talk themselves into parting with Duren, Rollins is absolutely a piece they would love to get in return. He'd be the perfect fit next to All-Star Cade Cunningham, giving him a seconday creator and defensive ace to take pressure off of him. On top of that, he's on one of the NBA's best contracts, taking home just $4 million this season.
Unfortunately for the Pistons, those are all reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks should keep Rollins off the table in sign-and-trade discussions. Having just turned 24 years old, Rollins is still young and can be a crucial piece of this new era moving forward. While the Bucks will have to commit to him with an expensive new deal next summer, that shouldn't be an issue if he continues growing at a rapid rate.
Sorry, Detroit.
Bucks must dangle other pieces in Duren trade
Even if Rollins is off the table, the Milwaukee Bucks have other pieces that could help get the wheels turning on a deal. Of course, Myles Turner would be among them, giving Detroit an immediate fill-in at the center position. Milwaukee could dangle other pieces like Jaime Jaquez Jr. or AJ Green, who are on team-friendly deals and could be of great use to a contender. Draft capital will also factor in.
All of this is to say that Ryan Rollins shouldn't make or break any Duren trade scenarios. Even without his inclusion, the Milwaukee Bucks have pieces. He'd make a deal a lot easier to get through, but there is no reason the Bucks should be eager to move him. The idea would be to pair Rollins with Duren in a new era of Bucks basketball.
For now, everyone is waiting. Duren and the Pistons both appear to be holding their ground. With NBA training camp on the horizon, this entire situation is about to get more interesting. If the two sides still don't have this figured out in a couple of weeks, it wouldn't be surprising if the Milwaukee Bucks leapt to secure their center of the future. Any sign-and-trade should not include Rollins, though.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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