The stalemate between the Detroit Pistons and Jalen Duren has extended all the way into September. It has been a frustrating process, and the fact that it's still not resolved with only three weeks left before the start of training camp is concerning.
Yet, neither side seems to be too worried about getting a deal done. All signs point towards the Pistons and Duren putting pen to paper on a multi-year deal before the start of the season.
This will certainly be the best outcome for everyone involved. However, this process has made one thing very clear: Jalen Duren has become wildly underrated.
Jalen Duren's contract demands are reasonable given the state of the market
Recent reporting suggests that Duren's camp wants around a $40 million average annual salary in the new contract. The Pistons, on the other hand, are offering $35 million per year to Duren.
Looking at the reactions on social media, the consensus seems to be that Duren is way out of line with his salary demands and is nowhere near deserving of a $40 million per year valuation.
This seems to be a clear misevaluation of Duren and where the market is in today's NBA.
There has been an overreaction to Duren's playoff struggles. He was a major disappointment and was largely outplayed by Wendell Carter Jr. and Jarrett Allen in back-to-back playoff series.
But that is why he isn't getting the 25% or the 30% max. The $40 million per year valuation already reflects his underperformance in the playoffs. Duren was a deserving All-NBA third team player last year and is only 22 years old. If he had maintained that level of play in the postseason, a max contract would have been the only way to retain Duren.
Duren has improved every season he has been in the league. He took a massive leap last season. He is a great finisher on offense and has taken large strides to become an above-average defensive option at center. There are simply not many 22-year-olds who have already played at the level Duren played at last season.
Amen Thompson just signed a five-year extension paying him $41.6 million per year on average. Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams all signed their 25% max deals last offseason, which will pay them an average of $47.8 million per year for the next five years. This is just what All-Star-caliber young players go for in today's NBA. Can anyone really say that Duren is less accomplished than any of the names mentioned above?
Of course, there is a difference between restricted free agency and contract extensions. Restricted free agents tend to get squeezed and end up signing more team-friendly deals. But in today's market, $40 million per year is simply not that much. In fact, a $40 million AAV makes you the 46th-highest-paid player in the league, right around Brandon Ingrams, Desmond Banes, and Darius Garlands of the world.
Duren is already better than all of these players while being significantly younger. Can you really argue that he isn't worth the contract he is asking for?
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