SerpApi.Org
The Detroit Pistons and center Jalen Duren have only made "modest" movement toward an agreement on a contract, according to The Stein Line's Marc Stein.
"Sources say that the Pistons, though, also continue to brush aside any introduction of sign-and-trade scenarios to the talks that would land Duren elsewhere," Stein reported Sunday.
"Team officials have consistently described re-signing Duren as the top priority of an offseason that has already resulted in the Pistons acquiring John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Gary Harris Jr. and Taurean Prince."
Duren's bind was foreseeable on the heels of his tough playoffs run. The 2025-26 All-Star averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds during the Pistons' 14 postseason contests, and he performed notably worse than he had in the regular season.
The 22-year-old likely cost himself a good chunk of change.
Being a restricted free agent isn't helping his cause because teams were dissuaded from making an offer from the start if they thought the Pistons would simply match it.
And now, there's hardly any cash to go around. The Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets are the only teams under the salary cap, and none can come close to giving Duren the kind of payout he's seeking.
The signs are pointing toward a reunion between he and the Pistons. The question is whether he settles for a middle ground on a long-term deal or bets on himself by signing the qualifying offer.
The latter tactic would be pretty risky.
Cam Thomas remains unsigned after opting for that route last summer. Quentin Thomas fared better by getting $60 million over four years from the Los Angeles Lakers. Much further back, Nerlens Noel badly overplayed his hand and never rebuilt his value on the court.
For Duren, something like Jonathan Kuminga's two-year deal with the Golden State Warriors last summer might be better than nothing. The Atlanta Hawks wound up declining his $24.3 million option, but Kuminga's representatives at least created the opportunity for him to re-enter the market in his prime after earning good money.
Considering it's still mid-July, the saga could continue to drag on without a resolution.
