The Detroit Pistons and star Jalen Duren have been locked in a contract dispute for the last two months, but a new rumor finally signals an end is in sight. According to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, Duren is expected to sign a four-year deal, for around $160 million to stay in Detroit.
If true, that calls into question why negotiations have taken two months. Remember, the Pistons were hoping to bring him back for around $35 million annually.
Meanwhile, Duren was hoping for a 5-year, $287 million deal, which would pay him around $57 million per season. If Detroit can bring him back on a deal that pays around $40 million a year.
That would be a massive savings to the Pistons and would signal that they ultimately won negotiations over Duren.
NBA Rumors: Pistons' Jalen Duren's new contract is revealed
Assuming Fischer is right, then we should soon be getting word about an agreement between the two sides. Of course, Duren may be posturing since he would be the one who lost the negotiations.
It became clear weeks ago that he was never going to get a max contract. Now, instead, he may have to "settle" for $40 million per season. If you ask me, that is a more than reasonable price.
If he plays like he did last season, playoffs aside, then he could exceed that value fairly easily. However, if he turns into a pumpkin again in next year's playoffs, then the Pistons would be stuck paying a center who disappears when they need him the most.
The Pistons may win the Jalen Duren contract negotiations
Even if Duren accepts that offer, there may still be some hurt feelings on his side. Remember, he is coming off a season in which he made the All-Star team and All-NBA while being just 22 years old.
Yes, he flamed out in the NBA Playoffs, but it's hard to ignore his larger season. Still, it's hard to blame the Pistons for playing hardball. If he accepts a deal for roughly $160 million, then Detroit will save around $17 million annually over the next four seasons. That is roughly the cost of a low-end starter or a good bench player.
Remember, Detroit will soon have to worry about the second apron. Assuming they can lock their second-best player up for around $40 million a season, it will go a long way towards helping them duck the second apron. If Detroit can pull that off, then any awkwardness regarding their relationship with Duren will be worth it.
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