Jalen Duren’s offseason has turned into a holding pattern, and the longer it drags on, the louder the contract conversation gets.
More than a month after free agency opened, Duren is still without a deal, and the Pistons remain in restricted free agency with him. Neither side appears close to giving in, even as the 22-year-old keeps working behind the scenes. A recent video from By My View on Instagram caught Duren putting in more work this offseason, a reminder that the negotiations have not slowed his routine.
The numbers at the center of the standoff are far apart. Duren is pushing for a five-year max contract that would total roughly $287 million, or about $57.4 million per season. Detroit, though, is not willing to go there, especially with Ausar Thompson due for a significant raise on his contract extension in the near future.
The Pistons’ reported valuation for Duren sits in the $30 million to $35 million range, a figure his camp views as a serious lowball. That stance makes sense from Duren’s side after the season he just put together. He averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and showed more juice as an offensive threat off the bounce, production that helped Detroit stay afloat while Cade Cunningham missed time with a collapsed lung.
Jalen Duren putting the work in this offseason 🔥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 10, 2026
(via bymyview0/ Instagram)pic.twitter.com/assOx0QMgX
But the playoff run changed the tone. Duren struggled badly, averaging just 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds across 14 postseason games, and he was often benched in favor of third-string big man Paul Reed, who outplayed him at times. That stretch has clearly shaped how the Pistons are approaching negotiations.
Detroit also has the broader salary cap picture in mind. Teams around the league have spent the past few years making painful moves just to avoid the second apron, and the Pistons do not want to hand out a massive deal that could create that kind of pressure down the line.
Even with all that friction, a middle ground still seems possible. One path forward would land Duren at around $40 million per year, which remains a possible compromise if both sides decide to meet somewhere in the middle.
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