The Pistons still have most of the leverage in their contract standoff with Jalen Duren, but Duren may be getting closer to using the one piece he has.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Duren is increasingly prepared to play next season on his $9.6 million qualifying offer if he and Detroit cannot reach a long-term agreement by the end of September. Doing so would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.
That’s the threat, anyway. Duren is coming off an All-Star and All-NBA season and reportedly wants a five-year contract that reflects it. Detroit’s offer is said to be more than $5 million per year below his asking price.
Ordinarily, another team might help close that gap. But nobody currently has enough salary-cap room to present Duren with the type of offer sheet he wants, leaving the Pistons with little immediate reason to bid against themselves.
So Duren can accept Detroit’s number, continue negotiating or bet on himself.
The last option would be a serious bet. Taking the qualifying offer could cost him roughly $25 million in salary next season and leave him exposed to injury or regression. It would also give him control of his future in 2027, when the Kings and perhaps several other teams could pursue him without Detroit holding matching rights.
That’s why skepticism will remain until Duren actually signs the qualifying offer. Threatening to leave guaranteed money on the table is one thing. Doing it is another.
Still, Detroit can’t entirely dismiss the possibility. The Pistons have the leverage today. Duren is deciding whether he’s willing to pay handsomely to own it tomorrow
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