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Entering the offseason, one of the largest questions surrounding the Detroit Pistons’ activity was inevitably the eventual price tag that All-Star center Jalen Duren would command as a restricted free agent. Earlier this week, Duren signed his qualifying offer from Detroit, which means that he will officially enter free agency as an RFA, so other teams across the NBA will have an opportunity to sign JD to an offer sheet, which will force the Pistons’ hand slightly during negotiations.
After such a dominant regular season which earned Duren an All-NBA Third Team selection, it became apparent that the Detroit big man would be due for a raise with his next contract. But during the postseason, the Pistons did not receive anywhere near the same production that Duren made look commonplace during the regular season, and that untimely dropoff could play a role in how Detroit approaches this very important contract discussion.
During the 2026 NBA Draft, the Pistons struck a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies during the second round to send Isaiah Stewart to the Western Conference in exchange for a trio of future round two selections, which means Detroit lost some important depth to their frontcourt. Stewart was the longest-tenured Piston on the squad, and he also provided a layer of rim protection that was practically unparalleled across the league.
The Pistons still have Paul Reed under contract, and he’s likely to slot in as the team’s second-string center for the 2026-27 campaign. But with Beef Stew out of the picture, the Pistons have an extra element of importance when it comes to re-signing Duren this offseason. Now, it’s likely that the Pistons would not have opted to deal away Stewart if they thought Duren’s return to the Motor City wouldn’t happen, so perhaps the draft night trade was an indication in the Pistons’ confidence that they’ll reach a deal with JD sooner rather than later.
Regarding that topic, Hoops Hype senior NBA insider Michael Scotto opined that Duren and his team are of the mindset that he can secure a deal for nearly $40 million per season, a total that is a little higher than the Pistons would be comfortable with. However, the front office in Detroit are high on Duren, and they’ve long viewed the big man as a potential building block for the squad with Cade Cunningham running the show and Ausar Thompson locking down elite scorers left and right.
“Within league circles, there’s a belief that Duren is seeking close to $40 million annually, or roughly 25 percent of the NBA’s salary cap,” Scotto wrote. “Ultimately, multiple NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype project Duren to remain with the Pistons and land somewhere around the mid-30s annually once the smoke clears from negotiations.”
So, the prevailing notion is that the Pistons are not ready to part ways with Duren for nothing after such a dominant regular season, which has naturally brought up the possibility of a sign-and-trade. But for now, Detroit has their sights fixed on bringing Duren back so that the Pistons can make another run with a retooled group of offensive weapons, such as Ebuka Okorie and Isaiah Joe, to work with.
Duren will be entering his fifth season as a pro once the league tips off in October, and he’ll still be just 22 years old at that time, meaning that he is still not done developing. Just take Duren’s second place finish for the Most Improved Player award last season as evidence that the Memphis product is still adding to his skill set. That’s an attractive, valuable piece to the franchise that could help the Pistons for years to come, so don’t be surprised if the Detroit front office inks Duren to a deal in the $35-37 million range once all the t’s are crossed and all the i’s are dotted.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage, but while you’re here, join Pistons Roundtable for FREE and become a contributing member to our community today. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
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After such a dominant regular season which earned Duren an All-NBA Third Team selection, it became apparent that the Detroit big man would be due for a raise with his next contract. But during the postseason, the Pistons did not receive anywhere near the same production that Duren made look commonplace during the regular season, and that untimely dropoff could play a role in how Detroit approaches this very important contract discussion.
During the 2026 NBA Draft, the Pistons struck a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies during the second round to send Isaiah Stewart to the Western Conference in exchange for a trio of future round two selections, which means Detroit lost some important depth to their frontcourt. Stewart was the longest-tenured Piston on the squad, and he also provided a layer of rim protection that was practically unparalleled across the league.
The Pistons still have Paul Reed under contract, and he’s likely to slot in as the team’s second-string center for the 2026-27 campaign. But with Beef Stew out of the picture, the Pistons have an extra element of importance when it comes to re-signing Duren this offseason. Now, it’s likely that the Pistons would not have opted to deal away Stewart if they thought Duren’s return to the Motor City wouldn’t happen, so perhaps the draft night trade was an indication in the Pistons’ confidence that they’ll reach a deal with JD sooner rather than later.
Regarding that topic, Hoops Hype senior NBA insider Michael Scotto opined that Duren and his team are of the mindset that he can secure a deal for nearly $40 million per season, a total that is a little higher than the Pistons would be comfortable with. However, the front office in Detroit are high on Duren, and they’ve long viewed the big man as a potential building block for the squad with Cade Cunningham running the show and Ausar Thompson locking down elite scorers left and right.
“Within league circles, there’s a belief that Duren is seeking close to $40 million annually, or roughly 25 percent of the NBA’s salary cap,” Scotto wrote. “Ultimately, multiple NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype project Duren to remain with the Pistons and land somewhere around the mid-30s annually once the smoke clears from negotiations.”
So, the prevailing notion is that the Pistons are not ready to part ways with Duren for nothing after such a dominant regular season, which has naturally brought up the possibility of a sign-and-trade. But for now, Detroit has their sights fixed on bringing Duren back so that the Pistons can make another run with a retooled group of offensive weapons, such as Ebuka Okorie and Isaiah Joe, to work with.
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NBA Trade Talk: Isaiah Joe Gives Detroit Pistons A Pair Of 3-Point SpecialistsThe Detroit Pistons acquired Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the week, and it’s a move that should pay dividends for the squad after they struggled from three-point range a year agoDuren will be entering his fifth season as a pro once the league tips off in October, and he’ll still be just 22 years old at that time, meaning that he is still not done developing. Just take Duren’s second place finish for the Most Improved Player award last season as evidence that the Memphis product is still adding to his skill set. That’s an attractive, valuable piece to the franchise that could help the Pistons for years to come, so don’t be surprised if the Detroit front office inks Duren to a deal in the $35-37 million range once all the t’s are crossed and all the i’s are dotted.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage, but while you’re here, join Pistons Roundtable for FREE and become a contributing member to our community today. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
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