The contract gap between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons may be narrowing, with recent discussions suggesting the sides have a realistic path toward reaching a long-term extension before the start of the 2026-27 season.
Sam Amick provided a more optimistic update on the negotiations, saying the financial difference between Duren and Detroit is smaller than he previously believed.
“There is a gap. It’s not as big as I thought it was before having a few recent conversations. It seems like there’s a window here to get something done and put him back in a Pistons jersey,” Amick said, per HoospHype.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon previously reported that Detroit is offering Duren a five-year contract worth roughly $35 million annually, while the center’s camp is seeking an average salary above $40 million.
The two sides have been negotiating since last summer, when they failed to reach an agreement on a rookie-scale extension. Duren entered 2025-26 with an opportunity to increase his value and did exactly that, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 70 games at age 22.
Duren earned his first All-Star selection and was named to the All-NBA Third Team as the Pistons finished 60-22, the NBA’s best regular-season record in the Eastern Conference. He shot 65.0% from the field and averaged 3.8 offensive rebounds per game.
His All-NBA selection also made Duren eligible for the Rose Rule, potentially allowing him to receive a starting salary worth 30% of the salary cap. Under the maximum framework, that could translate into a five-year contract worth approximately $287 million.
Detroit, however, is reportedly not approaching negotiations from that maximum benchmark. The Pistons’ reported offer is closer to the 25% maximum available to players coming off rookie contracts who do not qualify for the Rose Rule.
Three other members of Duren’s 2022 draft class — Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams — received five-year extensions at the 25% maximum. Each is scheduled to earn $41.2 million in 2026-27.
Duren’s playoff performance may also factor into Detroit’s evaluation. He averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over 14 postseason games while shooting 51.4% from the field, a significant decline from his regular-season production.
Amick also raised the possibility of Duren accepting his $9.6 million qualifying offer for 2026-27 if the sides cannot bridge the financial gap. Such a decision would allow Duren to enter unrestricted free agency next summer, but it would also expose him to the risk of sacrificing more than $170 million in guaranteed money.
“That QO has become such a nuclear option for players and also for teams,” Amick said. “Because even from a human standpoint, we haven’t seen a lot of people successfully take that route.”
The Pistons are still expected to prioritize keeping Duren as part of their young core alongside Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. Cunningham averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists during Detroit’s 60-win campaign and finished fifth in MVP voting.
Detroit also has Thompson’s rookie extension to consider, while the team entered September with approximately $36.5 million in room below the luxury-tax threshold before accounting for Duren’s eventual contract.
Jake Fischer has reported that Duren remains expected to re-sign with Detroit, with a potential four-year deal projected to exceed $160 million. The negotiations therefore remain unresolved, but Amick’s latest update suggests the gap may be manageable enough for both sides to find common ground.
