The Detroit Pistons and center Jalen Duren remain far apart in contract negotiations. With free agency approaching in a few days, the situation is quickly becoming one of the major storylines of the Pistons’ offseason.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported this week that while the two sides have held discussions, there has been little progress toward an extension. He also noted Duren was “underwhelmed” by the Pistons’ offer and plans to explore possible sign-and-trade scenarios.
Those concerns were downplayed by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, who indicated the Pistons aren’t shopping Duren and want to keep him. The two sides could still look to find a middle ground.
“The Pistons have maintained a strong desire to keep their 22-year-old center. Fellow star Cade Cunningham also wants Duren back, according to league sources,” Scotto wrote.
According to the report, Duren is seeking a $40 million annual salary, or roughly 25 percent of the NBA’s salary cap.
That number has been floated before, but the fact that Duren was “underwhelmed” by Detroit’s offer adds new weight to just how far apart the two sides remain.
What Could Jalen Duren’s Contract Look Like?
Jalen Duren had an excellent regular season for the 60-win Pistons, where he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on 65.0% shooting. However, he cooled off during the playoffs, posting 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds. He struggled physically through the postseason, which came to an end in an Eastern Conference Semifinals loss.
While he’s not a $40 million player right now, he’s probably a $30 million-plus player on the open market. Somewhere in the $32-35 million range would be a considerable discount for Duren, but even that number could be considered high for the Pistons if they want to manage their flexibility.
In the same report from Michael Scotto, Duren is expected to “remain with the Pistons and land somewhere around the mid-30s annually.”
A deal in the range of five years at approximately $35 million per year strikes a reasonable middle ground. Duren would receive long-term security and a substantial raise from his current $6.4 million cap hit, while the Pistons accept slightly more term than ideal to lock in a player who adds pace, physicality, and versatility to their lineup for years to come.
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