Jalen Duren is expected to miss the Pistons’ media day Monday as his contract standoff with the team continues, Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson of The Athletic report.
Duren is a restricted free agent and isn’t currently under contract, so he wasn’t scheduled for media day duties. According to The Athletic, he had considered showing up anyway as a gesture toward his teammates. Now he’s expected to stay away.
The Pistons have offered Duren a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million deal, but the sides remain at odds. Their latest proposal also includes a reported weight clause that has frustrated Duren’s camp.
Missing media day doesn’t settle the contract dispute. It does put the unresolved talks in plain view just as Detroit prepares to open training camp Tuesday. Duren could miss the start of camp as well if there’s no agreement.
He has until Thursday to accept his $9.6 million qualifying offer, which would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Pistons could extend that deadline, though The Athletic reports there’s no indication they plan to do so.
The Kings and Bucks remain interested in Duren, according to Amick and Patterson. Detroit, however, has shown no interest in a sign-and-trade. That leaves the same question the Pistons have faced for weeks. Can they find terms Duren is willing to accept?
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