Restricted free agency is starting to get messy in Detroit, where Jalen Duren’s future remains the biggest item on the board.
Duren could still take his $9.6 million qualifying offer and put himself on track to become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he and the Pistons can’t land on a long-term deal. But around the league, that path is being treated like a gamble few people would recommend. One Western Conference executive told Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints that accepting the qualifying offer after an All-Star season would be “extremely reckless and foolish,” especially with the injury risk and the lack of long-term security hanging over it.
The issue is that the two sides still seem far apart. Detroit is said to be aiming somewhere in the range of $30 million to $35 million per year for the 22-year-old center, while Duren is believed to be pushing for a maximum-salary contract, per Siegel. The conversations are on hold for now, though they’re expected to pick back up later this month and could continue into September.
Detroit’s offseason exploration hasn’t stopped there, either. The Pistons checked in on Clippers restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin last month, but that line of pursuit appears to be closed now. Sources told Siegel that the Pistons are no longer in on Mathurin.
Siegel also noted that the Clippers may have interest in a Bulls package centered on Isaac Okoro plus second-round draft compensation, although it’s not clear Chicago would actually be willing to put that kind of offer together. Mathurin, for his part, remains one of the more notable restricted free agents still sitting in the market as teams work through what’s left of the summer.
Elsewhere, Atlanta has eased off its chase of Peyton Watson. Siegel reported that the Hawks have backed off significantly, with the team unwilling to meet the price being asked by both Watson and Denver. There’s also still plenty of skepticism around the league that Cleveland will wind up with Watson.
The more realistic sign-and-trade lanes, according to Siegel, appear to be the Clippers and Bucks. Los Angeles has shown a willingness to include Derrick Jones Jr. in a deal, but Denver’s position above the second tax apron complicates any framework that would need to come together. And perhaps the clearest sign of all: Watson’s camp reportedly feels “disrespected” by Denver’s contract offers and may prefer a sign-and-trade.
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