[Patterson] There has been little progress in a contract resolution between Detroit and Jalen Duren, but both sides remain hopeful that there is a deal that makes sense for both sides. All signs, as of now, point toward the stalemate ending with Duren returning.
Since The Athletic reported on June 4 that Duren was “underwhelmed” with the Pistons’ initial offer, not much progress has been made.
The biggest difference now is that Duren’s market is shrinking and further limiting his leverage in negotiations with Detroit. He met with both the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings before the Lakers signed center Walker Kessler, though neither exit strategy materialized.
The Pistons would prefer to keep Duren rather than cooperate in a sign-and-trade (the Kings, for example, were known to be offering big man Domantas Sabonis).
But a league source, granted anonymity to discuss negotiations still in progress, told The Athletic that signing Duren is Detroit’s No. 1 offseason priority and the team is confident it’ll come to an agreement with Duren. Both sides want to get a deal done that makes sense for everyone involved, the source said.
Duren also has the option to accept the Pistons’ qualifying offer of $9.6 million and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. It’d be a risky option considering Duren can sign a longer, more lucrative deal that would offer insurance if he were to suffer an injury at any point during the season. All signs, as of now, point toward the stalemate ending with Duren returning.