The Detroit Pistons’ ongoing negotiations with Jalen Duren have hit a snag, according to a report.
The team and Duren, who is a restricted free agent, are far apart on contract talks, and Duren’s camp is now planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios when free agency opens June 30, according to The Athletic. Duren, 22, is coming off of a breakout All-NBA season. But his next deal likely will fall short of the maximum the Pistons can offer – five years and $287 million – following an underwhelming postseason performance.
Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on 65% shooting for a 60-win Pistons team that lost in the second round. He earned All-NBA third team honors, qualifying him for a contract worth up to $287 million that starts at 30% of the salary cap with 8% raises.
But the “higher max criteria” only applies to the Pistons – outside teams are capped to a maximum deal starting at up to 25% of the cap with 5% raises over four years, which comes out to $177.4 million total.
Because outside teams need cap space to make a realistic offer sheet for Duren, a sign-and-trade would open more pathways for Duren to land with a new team. But Pistons still hold the upper hand in negotiations, since they can match any offer sheet or simply decline to agree to a trade. Duren’s only other pathway, in that situation, would be picking up his qualifying offer for the 2026-27 to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
They repeatedly have signaled that Duren is a priority and core player they wish to build around, even after his numbers dropped across the board through 14 postseason games, averaging 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 51.4% shooting.
“I want him here, that’s where I’m at with JD,” team president Trajan Langdon said on June 18. “We really want JD to be here.”
Despite Duren’s desire to look elsewhere for a bigger contract, it appears nothing has changed for the Pistons. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Friday after Duren’s decision to seek other offers that “the Detroit Pistons are conveying that Jalen Duren will not be moved and are solely focused on coming to terms on an agreement.”
Ultimately, the ball is in the Pistons’ court. They can match any offer from an outside team and even if Duren is signed-and-traded, he’d be capped to four years and $177.4 million with an opposing team.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons star C Jalen Duren to explore sign-and-trade offers, per report
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