After being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster, many believe Kel'el Ware could be the team's center of the future. However, if the Bucks make one more splash this summer and acquire Jalen Duren, something they reportedly have interest in, per The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required), any possibility of Ware taking over the position full-time anytime soon drops to near zero.
Duren would be Ware's big roadblock
As constructed, Milwaukee's plan with Ware quietly feels clear. For now, they can start Myles Turner and bring Ware off the bench to be his backup. Ware can spend time learning from Turner while also sharpening his performance. If Turner rehabs his value and gets traded to bring more assets to the Milwaukee Bucks, Ware could be more polished and prepared for the starting role moving forward.
If Milwaukee pulls off a stunner for Duren, all of that changes. Rather than playing behind a veteran who could be moved at any moment, Ware would find himself backing up a player the same age as him who would be signed on with the franchise for the next several years. Suddenly, Ware's odds of taking a leap into the most prominent role of his career nosedive, keeping him in a bench role.
Sure, it never hurts to have two talented big men, but Ware almost certainly does not want to be stuck as a backup forever.
Duren asking price could be sticking point
While Duren would be a star-studded addition, the Milwaukee Bucks, somewhat due to Ware, have no reason to make a panic move for him. Between Ware, Turner, and Jericho Sims, Milwaukee has a trio of big men who could form an interesting rotation this coming season. If the Pistons are asking for the sun and the moon in a sign-and-trade, the Bucks can feel at ease about shutting them down.
Duren is certainly the better player right now, but Ware has shown enough flashes to make everyone think there is more potential waiting to be unearthed. If the Milwaukee Bucks fully invest in Ware and make him the future, who knows, perhaps he could become a premier center like Duren. Eyeing that scenario would certainly be the cheaper alternative than paying Duren over $200 million.
Training camp is nearing, and the Milwaukee Bucks still have some sizeable decisions to make.
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