The Detroit Pistons are not giving Jalen Duren a max contract, and the young All-Star has to accept less to end his restricted free agency standoff. Four years ago, any 22-year-old All-Star would get a max contract without much thought. The 2023 CBA brought in the second apron, and the penalties have forced teams to dismantle their rosters to avoid it. Every dollar counts, and the Pistons aren’t giving Duren a max deal after his playoff struggles.
Duren is still going to get a monster contract, but the Pistons are not giving him $40-plus million per year. Things will be stuck at a standoff until the 6’10 big man accepts less. The Pistons know Ausar Thompson needs a raise in the 2027-28 season. They want to keep this roster together, and the only way is getting Duren to take less.
Duren’s frustrations are understandable. Lesser players got rookie max contracts under the old CBA. He and his representation are pointing to those figures, but things have changed. Even Victor Wembanyama took less from the Spurs to keep San Antonio in title contention. Duren has to accept this harsh reality.
Jalen Duren will soon accept he’s not getting a max contract
Duren had an outstanding regular season. He was a deserving All-Star and third-team All-NBA selection. The 6’10 big man averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 28.2 minutes per game.
His production plummeted in the playoffs, where he put up 10.2 points, 8.5 boards, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 30.1 minutes per contest. Being third-team All-NBA made Duren eligible for an even bigger contract, but the Pistons are not offering it.
The market has dried up. No other team is giving Duren a max contract offer sheet at this point in the offseason. He hoped to convince the Los Angeles Lakers to make an offer, but they chose Walker Kessler. The max contract just isn’t coming.
The Pistons are rumored to be offering between $32-35 million per year. Duren is still getting a massive contract and being viewed as Cade Cunningham’s co-star in Detroit. He wants more and believes he’s earned it. Sadly, the new CBA will prevent him from getting it.
This has been a slow process. Duren wanted a massive deal before the 2025-26 season, which is how he got to restricted free agency. Neither side has to budge now, but the reality will slowly dawn on the All-Star big man. A fresh offer isn’t coming. Duren has to accept less because there is no other option. It may last months, but that is the inevitable conclusion.
Jalen Duren is getting closer to accepting a lesser contract from the Detroit Pistons in restricted free agency. There will be hurt feelings to mend after this standoff, but the franchise can’t afford to offer more. Every dollar counts in the second apron era. Detroit wants to keep Ausar Thompson and be a title contender for years to come. The climate changed, and that harsh reality is slowly being realized by Duren.
Add us as a preferred source on Google