One of the most dramatic stretches of the year in the NBA continues into a second week with 2026 free agency next up.
Detroit Pistons have four players set to hit free agency, which begins Tuesday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. when the negotiating window opens.
Teams and players can agree to deals, however, those will not become official until the new league year begins July 6 at 12:01 p.m. During the moratorium, the “agreements” do not count toward team salary and are not binding for the player or team. Either side can back out in this situation. Trades can also become official July 6.
Here’s a snapshot of the situation for each of the Pistons’ free agents: Center Jalen Duren (restricted), power forward Tobias Harris (unrestricted) and wings Kevin Huerter (unrestricted) and Javonte Green (unrestricted).
Jalen Duren
Pistons president Trajan Langdon said during his end-of-season media availability on May 19 the Pistons intend to re-sign the newly-minted All-NBA big man. One month later, Langdon again said “I want him here, that’s where I’m at with JD. We really want JD to be here,” and said he wanted to build around the Pistons’ three core players (Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Duren).
It was a breakout season for Duren, who averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on 65% overall shooting to help power the Pistons to their third-ever 60-win season. Those numbers dipped to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds on 51.4% shooting in the playoffs, but the front office is still bullish on his long-term trajectory.
Duren is eligible for a maximum five-year, $287 million contract after making All-NBA, but his actual contract will clock in for far less. Outside teams are limited to offering four years and up to $177.4 million, a substantial gap in total value that the two sides have to close during negotiations. They’re currently far apart, according to reports. However it shakes out, it would be surprising to see Duren end up elsewhere next season.
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Tobias Harris
Langdon said right after the season the Pistons would “love to have” Harris back in uniform next season, and Harris said so as well after their elimination from the playoffs. The veteran forward was a crucial part of the team’s success over the past two seasons both on and off the floor and delivered for much of the playoffs by averaging 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Cunningham.
Harris is coming off a two-year, $52 million contract. His next deal likely will be for less, but the Pistons have his Early Bird rights and should have few, if any roadblocks, toward bring him back on a contract that makes sense for both parties. They still have a hole at power forward after making a slew of moves during draft week.
Kevin Huerter
In his brief time with the team following the trade deadline, Huerter had bright moments. He averaged 12.8 points, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals and knocked down 36.8% of his 3-point attempts through their final 12 games of the season. However, he only played six combined minutes through their final 11 playoff games due to injury. Once regarded as a sharpshooter, Huerter has only knocked down 32.4% of his attempts over his past two seasons. Shooting is the Pistons’ biggest need, and they have already looked elsewhere by trading two future second-round picks to Oklahoma City for Isaiah Joe.
Javonte Green
The lone player to appear in all 82 games last season, Green carved out a role as a reliable two-way wing. He was among the most disruptive perimeter defenders in the league with a sky-high steal rate and knocked down 38.1% of his 3-pointers. Perhaps his price has gone up after a strong season, but Green is the type of veteran the Pistons should value. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him return.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris headline 4 Detroit Pistons free agents
Reporting by Omari Sankofa II and Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Omari Sankofa II and Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
