Detroit Pistons Expected to Reach Contract Resolution With Jalen Duren Soon, Per Insider
· Yahoo Sports
The Detroit Pistons have yet to agree to a new contract extension with restricted free agent Jalen Duren. However, after weeks of negotiations, both sides could reportedly find a compromise soon, per NBA insider Jake Fischer.
“We still have about a month left for restricted free agents to come to terms with their incumbent teams. 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,” Fischer said on a Bleacher Report livestream.
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May 17, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game seven of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images“The tricky aspect of all this is the messaging coming out of Detroit that the Pistons view Ausar Thompson as their second-best player, and not Jalen Duren. You don’t want to hear that if you’re Jalen Duren, and now Ausar Thompson’s extension talks will happen before the season, and he’s almost certainly going to get extended. And if that happens quickly, and this has been a year dragged out with Duren, it will be a tricky thing to monitor moving forward,” he added.
Duren certainly believes he deserves a huge payday from the Detroit Pistons after helping them finish as the East’s first seed last season. However, the team is reluctant to give him what he wants after his poor playoff performances.
Mar 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) shoots in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesDetroit Pistons News: Ausar Thompson negotiations hinge on the team’s Jalen Duren situation, per insider
According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the Detroit Pistons could face a similar situation next summer, as Ausar Thompson becomes a restricted free agent, so their ongoing negotiations with Jalen Duren will help set the tone.
“First, the Pistons need to know what Duren’s number will be on their books in 2028 and 2029 before they can finalize their cap planning and determine their best path for Thompson’s next deal,” Hollinger wrote.
“Second, there is an important question of which player they value more, one that will play out rather publicly if Thompson inks an extension shortly after Duren’s deal is completed. Of course, it’s possible that, as with Duren, Detroit doesn’t agree with Thompson on an extension and he becomes a restricted free agent next summer,” he added.