The Memphis Grizzlies are a team facing a difficult stretch, having lost their last five games, including a 132-101 defeat to the Houston Rockets on April 13, 2026. Amid this recent form, the franchise is seen as a potential candidate for a major roster move, with Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren emerging as a speculative target for the 2027 offseason.
Rumors suggest Jalen Duren will play out the 2026-27 season on his Qualifying Offer and become an Unrestricted Free Agent next summer. That timeline creates a clear opportunity for Memphis. The Grizzlies' current center situation is built around Zach Edey, the 7-foot-3 lottery pick. His immense size provides a unique advantage. But his health is a significant question mark.
Edey played 66 games as a rookie but only 11 in his sophomore 2025-26 season. Players of his stature often struggle with durability. Duren, by contrast, has been highly reliable. He's missed more than 65 games just once in four NBA seasons. His breakout 2025-26 campaign saw him average 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds with a 68.8% True Shooting percentage, earning All-NBA Third Team honors.
Duren's offensive game is potent. His strength and vertical leap make him an elite pick-and-roll finisher. He can also score in isolation by muscling his way to the basket. Comparisons to Dwight Howard on that end of the floor are not unfounded. However, his defense remains a work in progress and has been a consistent weakness throughout his career.
This defensive limitation is a key consideration for Memphis. Edey has his own defensive challenges, but his outlier size allows him to function in a drop coverage scheme. Coaches can build a system around that. Duren's defensive fit might be more complicated to solve.
In a perfect scenario, Zach Edey stays healthy through the 2026-27 season. The Grizzlies would then avoid the massive contract Duren will command in free agency. The team has built an optimal setup by pairing Edey with a mobile backup like Isaiah Stewart. But plans can change quickly in the NBA.
The team's recent results highlight broader issues. After the loss to Houston, their last five games include heavy defeats: a 147-101 loss to the Utah Jazz on April 11 and a 136-119 loss to the Denver Nuggets on April 9. They also fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 142-126 on April 7 and the Milwaukee Bucks 131-115 on April 5.
If Edey suffers another major injury, pursuing Duren becomes a necessary conversation. It would be a classic insurance move. The Grizzlies' front office must weigh the cost of a max-level contract against the risk of their current center plan failing. Keeping all options open is simply smart business.
Memphis hopes for stability with Edey. But the NBA is unpredictable. Jalen Duren represents a proven, high-upside alternative should their primary option falter. The door should absolutely stay open.
