Jalen Duren’s future in Detroit is suddenly in doubt after extension talks with the Pistons failed to bridge a major gap, according to league sources. The All-NBA forward is now expected to explore sign-and-trade scenarios when those become available on Tuesday.
The standoff comes after a season that made Duren one of the most expensive decisions in the league’s restricted free agency market. Because he made the All-NBA third team, he is eligible for a five-year, $287.1 million extension that would take up 30 percent of the Pistons’ salary cap.
A Strong Regular Season, Then a Sharper Playoff Drop-Off
Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 70 games during the regular season, while shooting 65 percent overall. He also finished sixth in the league in Player Impact Estimate, behind Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić and Kawhi Leonard.
His postseason production told a different story. In 14 playoff games against the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Duren averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds, while shooting 51.4 percent and posting a PIE of 8.7.
The gap in production has complicated the conversation about his value, even as Detroit’s regular season was its best since 2005-06. The Pistons finished 60-22 and earned the Eastern Conference’s best record before falling to Cleveland in the second round.
Detroit Is Weighing Bigger Moves Too
The Pistons are also expected to chase a major roster upgrade this summer, and league sources said they had serious interest in Austin Reaves before he re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. Detroit has also been linked to Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard and Tyler Herro.
That bigger picture matters because the team still has other expensive decisions ahead. Ausar Thompson, the 23-year-old first-team All-Defense selection, is also eligible for an extension that could reach five years and a combined $162 million.
“Obviously, JD and AT will be expensive,” Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said on May 19. “Once that happens, the optionality decreases.
“This isn’t a one-year thing. The thing I’ve always said is ‘sustainability’ in terms of being competitive. We have to keep that in mind as well. Not just say, OK, we’re going to do this next year just because of (our success this year). …It also impacts our future planning, so we’re going to be very mindful of that.”
Detroit’s offseason also includes decisions on veterans and cap space. Tobias Harris is an unrestricted free agent, Duncan Robinson could be waived to create room because only $2 million of his $15.9 million salary is guaranteed, and the Pistons traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round picks.
For now, the most important question is whether Detroit and Duren can still find common ground before the situation moves beyond simple negotiations. If they cannot, the Pistons may soon have to decide whether to keep one of their top young players or consider a deal built around the sign-and-trade market.