After being bounced from the playoffs, the Detroit Pistons are headed into a crucial offseason. At the top of their to-do list is coming to terms on a new contract for starting center Jalen Duren.
After making the All-Star team as well as just being announced for the All-NBA second team, re-signing him would seemingly be a no-brainer. Unfortunately for both him and the Pistons, it's become far more difficult.
By making All-NBA, Jalen Duren is now eligible to sign a five-year max deal with the Detroit Pistons worth a projected $287.1M (30% of the cap):
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 24, 2026
26-27: $49.5M
27-28: $53.5M
28-29: $57.4M
29-30: $61.4M
30-31: $65.3M
Duren's max with the Pistons was previously 5/$239.3M
Max with…
His awful play in the playoffs, combined with him now being eligible for a super max, means the two sides could be far apart on a new deal.
The Detroit Pistons must play hardball with Jalen Duren
Duren might want the max, which would pay him $287 million over the next 5 years. However, the Pistons would be fools to pay him anywhere near that much.
Paying him $55 million on average over the next 5 years after he just choked in the playoffs is a no-go for Detroit. Instead, they should be looking to get him on a steep discount.
A much more reasonable contract would see him agreeing to a 5-year, $150 million extension. That would work out to being about $30 million a season.
Jalen Duren may return to the Pistons on a steep discount
For many Pistons fans, that still might be an overpay, given his lackluster performance in the playoffs. However, what he did during the regular season shouldn't be discounted. Making both the All-Star team and All-NBA second team is a major accomplishment.
He likely already knows that he now has no chance of receiving the supermax from the Pistons. Nor a four-year max from another team, which would pay him $177 million.
The Pistons could get close to that amount with incentives. That would protect them in case he flames out again while also giving him the opportunity to earn more over the life of a new contract.
Perhaps the most reasonable outcome for both sides is a 5-year, $160 million extension, which would pay him $32 million annually. They can also add in performance bonuses, which could bring it up to around $170 million, but only if he meets certain metrics.
After disappointing in the playoffs, that may be the best Duren can hope for and a reasonable deal for the Pistons.
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