The Jalen Duren saga continues.
A reported contract offer worth $200 million was reportedly rejected by Duren and his camp recently, and the All-Star center has decided to hold out for as long as possible before either getting a deal done or forcing a trade. That has led to him skipping Media Day and putting the Pistons in a really uncomfortable position ahead of Thursday’s deadline to get a deal done.
Despite all of this, the Pistons are still committed to retaining Duren.
That’s right, the Pistons haven’t changed their tune despite the negotiations stalling out, and they’re committed to getting a deal done with their All-Star center. In fact, in his presser on Monday, Pistons GM Trajan Langdon said that regardless of whether Duren accepts Detroit's offer or the qualifying offer, they are looking to welcome him back.
Trajan Langdon gave an update on Jalen Duren, saying he has until Thursday to make a decision.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 28, 2026
Langdon said he is excited to have Duren back as a member of the Pistons, and expects him to be a key contributor. pic.twitter.com/SuuvxK86L6
The word on the street is that the money isn’t the issue at this point; it’s the negotiation process that has led to him feeling disrespected by the organization. He feels like he had done enough to earn a long-term deal worth well over $200 million, but his performance in the playoffs really soured everyone on that mega deal.
Despite having one of the more forgettable playoff appearances in recent memory for a single Piston, Duren still had an All-Star regular season at the age of 22, posting 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He also shot 65 percent from the floor and averaged 1.6 stocks (steals + blocks).
By all accounts, he has earned a massive deal, but he believes that he’s worth more than he probably actually is, which has led to this standoff between him and the front office.
The Pistons need to get a deal done in order to salvage a fairly mediocre offseason, but overpaying for a guy who disappeared when it mattered most would be desperate. A one-year deal would likely spell the end of his time in Detroit because that would feel more disrespectful than anything, but that’s the way things are trending unless the Pistons get something done this week.
Ball’s in your court, Trajan Langdon.
Is Jalen Duren worth over $200 million?
If you look at the gaudy contract numbers in the NBA for 2026-27, $40 million per year wouldn’t even put Duren in the top 40. Actually, he’d be the 50th highest-paid player in the NBA, tied with veteran forward Brandon Ingram, who can never seem to stay healthy.
When it’s put that way, he absolutely deserves at least $40 million, but probably somewhere in the $45-50 million per year range. It seems crazy to say, especially after last season’s playoff performance, but he has to be worth more than guys like Jalen Williams, Darius Garland, Franz Wagner, and, heck, even Lauri Markkanen, who makes over $46 million per year.
Compared to other contracts, $45 million isn’t overpaying for a 22-year-old All-Star center; it’s actually on par with other guys in his talent range.
As much as it almost feels crazy to say, Duren deserves a slightly bigger contract or at least more incentives cooked into his $200 million deal. On the flip side, Duren needs to realize that he’s not getting that much from other teams right now, especially after that 2026 postseason showing, and Detroit wants him here.
He’s worth the money, but he’s also not worth $50 million per year, which only 20 players in the NBA are being paid for 2026-27.
Get a deal done.
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