Contract negotiations between the Detroit Pistons and star Jalen Duren have gotten increasingly ugly. So much so that the Pistons' worst-case scenario may soon become a reality.
The two sides are obviously still far apart on a new contract, increasing the possibility of Duren doing the unthinkable. Duren may take the qualifying offer, which would basically bring him back on a one-year, $9.6 million deal.
The thought of the Pistons losing Duren for nothing would be a nightmare scenario for Detroit, but it seems increasingly possible.
The Detroit Pistons may lose star Jalen Duren for nothing
After all, if he were to accept the qualifying offer, he would be able to quash potential trades. He could do so by having his agent warn potential teams that he wouldn't re-sign there.
If no trade happens, then he would hit unrestricted free agency next summer in that scenario and would be free to sign with any team. The Pistons have already downgraded this offseason, so they can't afford to let that happen.
While Duren will almost certainly suit up for them next season, he likely won't be the same player he was last year. It's hard to imagine he'll be in peak shape as he awaits a new contract for the last two months.
Remember, Duren would likely be more worried about a new deal than risking injury by doing significant training. Then there is the awkwardness aspect.
Can the Pistons salvage the Jalen Duren contract negotiations?
The Pistons are offering him far less than his max, and no other team has even bothered offering him a competitive deal. As a result, he'll have to grit out another season in Detroit, but there may still be some lingering tension.
Hopefully, even if he takes the qualifying offer, he will come back motivated to prove the Pistons and other teams wrong. That would at least help them in the short term, but Detroit's future is very much still up in the air.
Yes, they have Cade Cunningham, who was an MVP candidate last season. However, if Detroit loses Duren for nothing, then there is no easy way to replace him.
That's why they shouldn't foreclose on the possibility of a sign-and-trade. If a team is willing to give them a couple of good players and a first, then they should drive him to the airport. Barring that, it seems unlikely that the situation will end well for both sides.
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