The Jalen Duren saga is finally over. After months of drama and rumors swirling, Duren accepted a five-year, $300 million offer from the Detroit Pistons. However, reports have indicated that the Pistons included a verbal weight clause that was eventually removed, but the damage has seemingly already been done. And even though Duren has already signed a new deal, there could still be problems.
At one point in the negotiation process, there was reportedly only a $10 million gap between Duren and the Pistons. Over five years. That’s around $2 million a season. Obviously, that’s a ton of money, but in NBA talk, it’s just not that much. So, it feels clear that this was about more than the money.
Because of that, Duren finally accepting the Pistons’ offer doesn’t necessarily mean everything is cool between the two sides now. In fact, Duren probably still isn’t thrilled.
Jalen Duren drama could still linger
All summer, Duren had to deal with a ton of talk. What team will Duren join? How much is Duren actually worth? Should he take the qualifying offer? Should the Pistons just trade him at this point?
By the time it came time to accept a contract offer from the Pistons, Duren probably just wanted to guarantee himself some long-term money. That doesn’t change the fact that he probably still feels slighted.
If the rumor about the weight-loss clause is true, he may be particularly upset, especially considering that hasn’t really been a problem he’s dealt with throughout the course of his young career.
Obviously, with the new CBA, the Pistons have to be careful. Handing out a bad contract is a sure-fire way to put your team in a dangerous second-apron position for years.
But Duren was the second-best player on the Pistons last year. An All-Star. An All-NBA player. He struggled in the playoffs, sure, but he still had an incredible breakout campaign.
Upsetting him to this degree was always going to be a tough look for the Pistons. And don’t think for one second that this is the last we’ll hear about the relationship between Duren and the Pistons.
Money issues like this always seem destined to linger. Just because Duren took the contract doesn’t mean the chatter will end. Anything can happen from here on out.
Duren will be back in a Pistons jersey to begin next season. If nothing else, that’s a win. But in the end, the saga wasn’t just about the money. And that’s why Duren signing a new deal won’t end it.
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