As the Detroit Pistons negotiate with star Jalen Duren drags into its third month, an end may finally be in sight. The Pistons are still hoping to agree to a new deal with Duren, but he appears willing to take the qualifying offer.
The qualifying offer is essentially a one-year, $9.3 million deal that he can take instead of agreeing to a long-term deal with Detroit. And in doing so, that would allow him to become a free agent next season and leave Detroit high and dry.
Fortunately for the Pistons, there is a deadline for him to do so, which is set at October 1st. That means that there could be a resolution between now and October 1st, which is less than a month away.
NBA Rumors: Pistons are barreling toward crucial Jalen Duren deadline
With less than a month before the October 1st deadline, Duren has to make a decision regarding his qualifying offer, which puts pressure on both sides. The Pistons don't want him to take the qualifying offer, which would all-but ensure they eventually lose him for nothing.
Yet, if the Pistons don't up their offer significantly, then Duren may take the qualifying offer without any leverage in negotiations. That is a risky proposition for him. Yes, he made the All-Star team and made the All-NBA last season, but walking away from around $140 million means he'd have to play even better next season.
That's a high bar, and even something as small as a rolled ankle could cost him big. Either way, it would seem that there will be a resolution to the Duren saga sooner rather than later.
There may soon be a resolution to the Jalen Duren saga
Even before October 1st, Detroit's Media Day is three days earlier, with training camp soon to follow. It's hard to imagine Duren's contract situation lasting that long.
Then again, it's rare for contract disputes to go on for this long. I still predict that Duren takes a short-term deal that will pay him around $40 million annually. Say, for example, a three-year, $120 million deal with the third year being a player option.
That would at least allow him to get paid now and potentially hit free agency again at 24 years old. It would also give the Pistons the option to trade him if things don't work out. That may ultimately be the best possible resolution for Duren and the Pistons.
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