Jalen Duren has been a restricted free agent for quite some time. The Detroit Pistons have tried to negotiate a contract with the one-time All-Star since free agency began. Initially, the starting center wanted to ink a five-year, $287.1 million deal with Detroit. However, the franchise has been hesitant to give Duren a massive payday.
Duren is coming off an outstanding season for the Pistons, where he appeared in 70 games, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 assists. He was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. He feels he should be compensated fairly based on his improvement.
Unfortunately for Duren, the Pistons have been hesitant to give him a massive deal. Mostly because of how he underperformed in the postseason. He averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds during the playoffs. The star big man was not a key factor in Detroit’s short postseason run.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts during the second half against the Orlando Magic during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesDespite the lengthy contract standstill, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Jalen Duren could still sign and stay in Detroit.
“We still have about a month left for restricted free agents to come to terms with their incumbent teams,” Fischer said. “I talked with someone today who still believes he’s on track for a four-year, $160 million deal. He’s clearly gonna want something closer to what Walker Kessler got than what Mitchell Robinson got. But when all things are said and done, and he makes life-changing money, I do see an opportunity for this to get mended.”
Jalen Duren is still expected to re-sign with the Detroit Pistons for a deal that is expected to be upwards of 4-years, $160+ million, per @JakeLFischer
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— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 25, 2026
At the start of free agency, Jalen Duren was linked to the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.
Jalen Duren’s Contract Talks With the Pistons Turned “Nasty”Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons want different things in their contract negotiation. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on “The Hoop Collective,” things have turned sour in their ongoing bargaining.
“What’s going to be the lingering cloud when this whole Jalen Duren situation gets finalized, or at least temporarily settled? Is he going to sign an extension? I don’t know. This has been an awfully nasty negotiation, and I have real concerns there,” the insider said.
Duren’s situation has become tricky since no team would want to sign him. Additionally, most teams have used their cap space, and the only way for the big man to be with a different team would be through a sign-and-trade agreement.
Fortunately for Duren, their recent contract talks have turned into something positive.
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