Mar 10, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Mar 10, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Most of this year’s offseason storylines have concluded positively, with several free agents signing with new teams. However, the ongoing contract extension talks between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons remain a topic of discussion.
Despite showing a clear inclination to bring back their star center, the Pistons are struggling to re-sign Jalen Duren. For the most part, this is attributed to Detroit’s offer and how it falls far short of Duren’s expectations. However, this may not be the case anymore, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick,
While discussing Duren’s contract negotiations on “The Athletic NBA Daily,” Amick revealed that the Pistons may have improved their position by bridging the gap with Duren. Amick shared:
“I mean, as far as the state of affairs, I don’t know which way it’s going to go. There is a gap. It’s not as big as I thought it was before having a few recent conversations. It seems like there’s, you know, there’s a window here to get something done and put him back in a Pistons jersey.”
Per earlier reports, Jalen Duren’s demand for a contract worth more than $40 million annually was not viewed favorably by the Pistons, who were willing to offer him a deal in the range of $35 million per year. Although this difference has paved the way for external narratives, it would appear the Pistons are inching closer to a deal.
For the most part, Amick suggested that Detroit’s change in approach could be linked to rumors about Duren’s willingness to accept his $9.6 million qualifying offer to play out the season and leave next summer as an unrestricted free agent.
“I think what’s interesting is, like, the QO (qualifying offer) has become such a nuclear option for players and also for teams that it’s fair to wonder, like, ‘Man, if they can’t completely bridge that gap, how do both sides feel about the QO?'” Amick continued. “Because, even from a human standpoint, we, as you guys know, haven’t seen a lot of people successfully take that route.”
Amick used Greg Monroe’s example to mirror Jalen Duren’s situation. Although Monroe took the qualifying offer with the Pistons, he earned himself a solid three-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks the following summer. While this could hint at a positive outlook for Duren, too, Amick noted some concerns:
“The question is, Trajan Langdon, Tom Gores, what are their thoughts on having a guy who, if he took the QO, would be a bit- now, I’m not saying he wouldn’t be a professional, but he would be a bit of a bitter employee. You know what I mean?”
Although the qualifying offer is a looming threat for the Pistons and is possibly the only leverage Jalen Duren’s representation has going into contract discussions with Detroit, the QO is essentially the worst-case scenario for both parties.
For the Pistons, the QO means losing a star-caliber big man for nothing in return in the 2027 free agency window. For Duren, it would mean missing out on a massive payday and having to renegotiate with teams, hoping to earn a similar value next year.
Thus, while it is promising that the gap in expectations has become narrower, the relationship between Jalen Duren and the Pistons’ organization may need mending if they are to remain together. Given that trade rumors involving the Sacramento Kings could also threaten this dynamic, Detroit would benefit from settling on a reasonable number soon.