On the eve of the start of NBA free agency negotiations, Jalen Duren reportedly is preparing to test the market. However, the Detroit Pistons remain committed to re-signing the rising star.
The Pistons do not intend to trade the 22-year-old restricted free agent, based on conversations with multiple people who spoke with the Free Press on the condition of anonymity. Duren is reportedly preparing to meet with the Sacramento Kings to open the door for a sign-and-trade, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. There is a high degree of confidence within the Pistons’ organization that Duren will ultimately re-sign with the team.
Duren’s camp is also setting up a call with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, per The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Amick reported previously that Duren was prepared to explore sign-and-trade scenarios. The negotiation period starts at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, June 30.
Duren, 22, is coming off of a breakout season averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65% shooting. He co-starred with Cade Cunningham on the best Pistons team in nearly two decades – the franchise’s third-ever team to win at least 60 games and first to make the second round of the NBA playoffs since 2008. The team repeatedly has signaled that retaining Duren is a priority.
“I want him here, that’s where I’m at with JD,” president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said recently. “We really want J.D. to be here.”
Because he made third-team All-NBA, Duren reached the “higher maximum criteria” that increased the maximum money the Pistons can offer – up to five years and $287 million, a substantial bump from the previous $239 million he was eligible for.
But he’s unlikely to see either figure following an underwhelming postseason performance that ended with a seven-game loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Through 14 postseason games, he averaged 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 51.4% shooting.
Outside teams are capped to a maximum offer sheet starting at up to 25% of the cap with 5% raises over four years, which comes out to $177.4 million total, and need cap space in order to do so. The Pistons can offer one additional year and more overall salary, even if it averages out to less money per year, and can exceed the cap to do so. For example, a five-year, $200 million contract would exceed an outside team’s best offer by $23 million, but fall short in annual value by roughly $4.5 million.
The Pistons have the right to match any offer from another team, and thus still hold the leverage in negotiations. Additionally, Duren’s contract would still be capped at four years and $177 million in a sign-and-trade, which the team isn’t intending to pursue.
His only other pathway is picking up his qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Despite sign-and-trade rumors, Pistons committed to retaining free agent Jalen Duren
Reporting by Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
