Pistons reportedly offering Jalen Duren about $190 million

The Pistons may be closer to Jalen Duren’s asking price than previously believed. Whether they’re close enough is another matter.

Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson of The Athletic report that Detroit has offered Duren a five-year deal worth roughly $190 million. Previous reports placed the offer near $175 million.

The exact structure remains unclear. Options and guarantees could make that $190 million look considerably different once everything is examined.

Duren is seeking at least $40 million annually, meaning he wants $200 million or more over five years. Amen Thompson’s recent five-year, $208 million extension with Houston probably didn’t make Detroit’s negotiating position any easier. Thompson received that deal despite Duren being the one with All-Star and All-NBA honors.

Still, turning down $190 million would be a serious gamble. Duren could accept his $9.6 million qualifying offer, become an unrestricted free agent next summer and sign elsewhere. But as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors explained, that path would project to pay Duren about $196.7 million over the next five seasons, even if another team gives him the max in 2027.

So he would accept all the injury and performance risk for the possibility of earning only slightly more.

The Kings reportedly remain highly interested, and Duren is said to be intrigued by playing alongside Darius Acuff Jr. He has also kept his distance from Detroit this summer, skipping a Cade Cunningham-organized minicamp and a gathering at owner Tom Gores’ home.

That doesn’t necessarily mean a departure is coming. It does mean this has become more than routine negotiating.

Detroit has made a massive offer. Duren must decide whether the last few million are worth betting nearly everything else.