Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren's future with the team is in doubt due to a large gap between the the two sides in extension talks, sources told The Athletic's Sam Amick.
Duren was unhappy with the Pistons' initial offer and plans to explore sign-and-trade scenarios once the window for negotiating with free agents officially opens Tuesday, Amick reports.
However, the Pistons insist they won't move Duren and are focused on reaching an agreement with the 22-year-old restricted free agent, sources told Prime Video's Chris Haynes.
Duren is eligible for a five-year, $287.1-million extension that was triggered by his All-NBA third-team selection at the end of the season. That would amount to 30% of Detroit's cap space.
Detroit is in the market for significant roster upgrades and could package Duren in a sign-and-trade for another marquee star, Amick reports.
Duren enjoyed a career-defining campaign with the Pistons and was selected for his first All-Star Game appearance. He averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and two assists on 65% shooting in the regular season. Those numbers significantly decreased in his underwhelming playoff display as he averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 boards on 51.4% shooting across 14 contests.
The Pistons are expected to have a busy offseason, and Duren's future isn't the only matter at hand for president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon.
Ausar Thompson is eligible for a five-year, $162-million extension after earning an All-Defensive first-team selection in 2025-26, and Tobias Harris, who was second on the team in scoring in the playoffs, is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Detroit dealt center Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks earlier in the week.
The Pistons were reportedly also aggressively pursuing Austin Reaves before he re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $185-million maximum contract.
