The Detroit Pistons are in a tough Jalen Duren position. That much has already been well-documented. The two sides have yet to come to an agreement on a contract, and Duren is still wasting away in restricted free agency. It’s similar to the position the Denver Nuggets are in with Peyton Watson: A restricted free agent who could pick up the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The Pistons cannot let that happen. If Duren hits unrestricted free agency next summer, the Pistons could lose him for nothing, and that would be the absolute worst-case scenario. If he does pick up the qualifying offer, Detroit may be better off trading him. But they cannot let that happen.
In Denver’s case, the Nuggets at least have some extra depth at the forward position. The Pistons don’t have that luxury at the center spot.
Pistons need to extend Jalen Duren this summer
Duren was an All-NBA big man last year. He didn’t play well in the postseason, and that’s probably a big reason he hasn’t been extended yet, but he’s still a very valuable part of Detroit’s core.
The Pistons shouldn’t want to trade him, because at this point, his value is low. Teams know that Duren could technically hit unrestricted free agency next summer, so why pay full value for him?
Right now, Detroit would probably be getting pennies on the dollar for Duren. And if he accepts the qualifying and they trade him at the deadline, the value could be even worse.
Plus, the Pistons’ only backup depth at the center position right now is Paul Reed. They have Ugonna Onyeso and Isaac Jones on two-way contracts, but that’s not enough to make up for the loss of Duren.
More than anything, the Pistons just need to come to an agreement on a contract extension with Duren. That is the only positive outcome for them at this point.
The Peyton Watson situation in Denver
So, what’s happening with the Nuggets? Well, they just accepted Spencer Jones’ offer sheet, taking them over the second apron for the time being. That means they can’t complete a sign-and-trade with Watson right now.
Watson and the Nuggets, like Duren and the Pistons, still haven’t agreed on a new deal. The Nuggets forward is still a restricted free agent right now, and he is also considering picking up the qualifying offer.
But if the Nuggets were to lose Watson, they would still have Aaron Gordon and Spencer Jones to lock down the power forward spot. It’s not ideal, but it’s a better spot than the Pistons are in.
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