Pistons' Jalen Duren contract problem presents $9.6 million risky option

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Pistons' Jalen Duren contract problem presents $9.6 million risky option originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Jalen Duren chatter has been essentially non-existent of late, which is a bit odd considering that he doesn't actually have a contract for next season yet.

The Detroit Pistons' center remains a restricted free agent. Detroit tendered him a qualifying offer, which kept his RFA status and allows them to match any potential offer sheets from other teams.

At the moment, though, nothing is forthcoming.

There were rumors that the Sacramento Kings would go after Duren, either with an offer sheet or some kind of sign-and-trade, but that hasn't come to fruition.

Now, Duren is being forced to play the longer game, much like RFAs Jonathan Kuminga and Quentin Grimes had to do last offseason.

Probably the simplest outcome for Duren would be to land a long-term extension with the Pistons and just stay put for big money.

NBA insider Marc Stein reports, though, that the Pistons and Duren have made just "modest" progress in contract talks.

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Duren appears to have entered the offseason seeking a max contract, but it doesn't appear Detroit is inclined to give it to him. Duren is coming off the best season of his career, but he wilted a bit in the playoffs, raising concern levels a bit.

If the Pistons don't give Duren the deal he wants, he does have a different option which has begun to circulate a bit: He could play this season on the qualifying offer.

To do so, procedurally he'd accept the qualifying offer that the Pistons extended him to maintain his RFA status. It would mean Duren plays the 2026-27 season for $9.6 million.

Most importantly to Duren, it would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.

There'd be risk to that, because Duren could struggle or get hurt and tank his value.

But if all went according to plan, Duren could get multiple teams bidding on him as a free agent next offseason with no looming threat of a matched offer sheet like the situation that exists right now.

It's just one possibility, but it's probably the one that gives Duren the most autonomy rather than the Pistons being in total control.

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