Pistons have a backup plan if Jalen Duren negotiations go south

The Jalen Duren contract negotiations will be central to the Detroit Pistons’ offseason and will likely dictate the moves they make elsewhere. 

If I had to guess, I’d say the Pistons will get a deal done somewhere in the 5 years/$200 million range, but there are rumblings that the two parties are far apart. Whether that is true is anyone’s guess, as accurately assessing information in the misinformation age isn’t easy. 

There’s a good chance the Pistons come to an agreement with Duren, but if not, they will have to pivot to other options and luckily there are some out there. 

Mavericks center Daniel Gafford is potentially on the move this summer as the Mavs retool around Cooper Flagg and if the Pistons strike out with Duren, he’d be a viable option. 

Daniel Gafford is a solid center on a team-friendly deal 

Gafford is no All-Star, but he’s a solid center who is on a relatively cheap deal for someone of his production. 

He’d be an offensive downgrade from Duren, but he’s a much better defender who still offers a similar lob threat in the pick and roll. Unlike Duren, Gafford’s career numbers go up in the playoffs, and he was excellent in Dallas’ deep run in 2023-24. 

Gafford will be making $17, 18 and 19 million over the next three seasons, so would be a much cheaper alternative that would allow the Pistons to invest elsewhere. Trading for him wouldn't necessarily be cheap, but a young player and pick should get it done.

How much can the Pistons spend on centers who aren’t great? 

This is not me saying the Pistons should trade Duren, but it is fair to ask how much they can reasonably invest in the center position, especially when the cheapest one they have, Paul Reed, was their best option in the playoffs. 

A platoon of three centers on team-friendly deals might be a better option than paying Duren $40 million a year, as it would allow the Pistons to put money into areas that are bigger concerns, namely their ball handling and shooting. 

It’s also fair to ask how much any team in 2026 should invest in a center that doesn’t shoot or protect the rim very well. Duren is only 22 and fresh off an All-NBA season, but you still have to believe there is more to his game if you want to pay him that much. 

Asset and cap allocation are vital in the tax apron era, so the Pistons will have to think carefully before they invest heavily in Duren when there are players like Gafford available who might actually provide more for the money. 

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