Jalen Duren summer league hype is being mislabeled as a Knicks failure
The moves that the New York Knicks made during the 2022 NBA Draft were confusing, but after failing to trade for Jaden Ivey, New York shifted its focus to clearing space to sign Jalen Brunson in free agency. And the moves that were made paid off because the team now has their starting point guard of the future.
However, with 2022 NBA Summer League beginning on Thursday, there’s been talk about another Jalen. After having the No. 5 pick in the draft, the Detroit Pistons walked away with two lottery players in Ivey and Jalen Duren.
With the No. 11 pick, the Knicks selected Ousmane Dieng, but he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for three protected first-round picks. New York then made a deal with the Charlotte Hornets that resulted in the Hornets selecting Duren at No. 13. He was traded to the Knicks in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick and four future seconds.
New York then sent Duren and Kemba Walker to Detroit for a 2025 first-round pick via Milwaukee. Ultimately, after draft night, the Knicks had $18 million in cap space. New York did not draft Duren, nor was the plan to ever keep Duren. Nonetheless, after Duren made his summer league debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Knicks were still being brought up in discussions.
Knicks fans might want to turn off Pistons-Blazers.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) July 8, 2022
Knicks didn’t have a need to keep Pistons center Jalen Duren on draft night
In 11:56 minutes of play, Duren finished with 9 points (4-of-6), 2 blocks, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 assist. Meanwhile, Ivey had a team-high 20 points (6-of-14), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 turnovers in a little over 32 minutes of play.
Out of the two players, it’s going to be far more bittersweet for Knicks fans to watch Ivey as his NBA career unfolds. Even after New York wasn’t able to trade up to draft him, it was reported that the front office was still in trade talks with the Pistons. Hopes were high that somehow the Knicks would be able to leave the Barclays Center with Ivey.
None of this is to say that Duren isn’t going to be successful, but his one summer league game has been spun out of control. He was only a piece of the puzzle for New York.
And since draft night, the Knicks have signed Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, re-signed starting center Mitchell Robinson, and most recently converted Jericho Sims’ two-way deal to a three-year standard contract.
Sure, it was entertaining to watch Duren’s two dunks against the Trail Blazers, but again, New York already has centers that are known for throwing down lobs.
The Knicks are set at center, so don’t take the jabs that are being thrown their way seriously. Instead, focus on New York’s summer league contest against Golden State tonight at 8.
