Duren and the Pistons remain apart in contract negotiations, with Detroit offering approximately $35 million annually while Duren is seeking more than $40 million per year, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com.
The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement throughout the summer, leaving Duren as one of the NBA's most prominent remaining restricted free agents. The 22-year-old could accept his $9.6 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but Detroit has maintained that it wants to retain him long-term, making an eventual agreement the more likely outcome. Duren is coming off a breakout 2025-26 regular season in which he earned his first All-Star and All-NBA selections while averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65.0 percent shooting.
Duren and the Pistons have seemingly not made any progress on a long-term extension, with Tim MacMahon of ESPN reporting that negotiations have been "nasty."
MacMahon didn't elaborate on just how bad things have been between the two sides and isn't sure if Duren plans to sign an extension. The 2022 No. 13 overall pick spent his first four years with Detroit, though he is coming off his most productive campaign to date, averaging a career-high 19.5 points along with 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 28.2 minutes per showing across 70 regular-season games in 2025-26. Additionally, he earned his first All-Star nod. However, it was a different story during the postseason, with the 22-year-old averaging 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks over 30.1 minutes per game in 14 playoff appearances. There are several directions this situation can go, including Duren agreeing to the proposed contract of roughly $35-$38 million annually. He can also accept a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. While there is still time for progress to be made, both sides are likely running out of patience, which won't improve the chances of Duren remaining in Detroit beyond the 2026-27 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Muted effort in loss
Rotowire
Duren contributed seven points (3-7 FG, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one block across 26 minutes during Sunday's 125-94 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Duren's postseason struggles were well documented, but it doesn't take away from the season he had. Duren was tremendous in the regular season, posting 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.8 blocks across 70 appearances. He's expected to draw significant interest as a restricted free agent this summer.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Double-doubles in Game 6
Rotowire
Duren logged 15 points (7-10 FG, 1-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 27 minutes during Friday's 115-94 win over the Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Duren has struggled for much of the Pistons' playoff run, but he was more effective in Friday's contest. His team-high three blocks were his most in a postseason game since April 25 against the Magic (five), and he also logged his third double-double of the playoffs. Duren was able to return to the game in the fourth quarter after rolling his left ankle in the third, and that is worth monitoring ahead of Game 7 on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Returns Friday
Rotowire
Duren (ankle) started the fourth quarter of Friday's Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cavaliers, Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News reports.
Duren appeared to roll his left ankle in the third quarter and limped to the locker room. However, the big man returned to the bench shortly thereafter and was ultimately cleared to check back in.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Leaves for locker room
Rotowire
Duren exited to the locker room in the third quarter of Friday's Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Cleveland due to an apparent left ankle injury, Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com reports.
Duren went down and grabbed at his left ankle before limping back to the locker room. He can be considered questionable to return until more information comes to light. If he's unable to return, Paul Reed will likely pick up the slack.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Struggles again in overtime loss
Rotowire
Duren contributed nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 25 minutes during Wednesday's 117-113 overtime loss to Cleveland in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Duren continues to struggle on both ends of the floor, to the point where he didn't touch the floor in the final quarter or during overtime. After a breakout season, Duren has been unable to carry that form into the postseason, averaging 10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks through 12 appearances. Detroit now trails 3-2, with the series heading back to Cleveland. The Pistons would love to see the regular-season version of Duren, something that has certainly been missing thus far during the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Posts another double-double
Rotowire
Duren closed Tuesday's 111-101 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 11 points (4-11 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks across 35 minutes.
Duren had begun the playoffs without a double-double in his first six games, but he's now recorded back-to-back doubles for the Pistons. Over eight postseason contests, the All-Star big man has averaged 10.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 blocks in 31.9 minutes per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Goes for 15 and 15 in Game 7 win
Rotowire
Duren logged 15 points (5-9 FG, 5-6 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 37 minutes during Sunday's 116-94 victory over Orlando in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Duren saved his best for last, recording his first double-double of the series as the Pistons outlasted the Magic at home. Despite Sunday's effort, Duren's overall production throughout the playoffs has been mostly underwhelming, at least when compared to the regular season. Across seven first-round games against Orlando, he averaged 9.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Leaves for locker room
Rotowire
Duren exited to the locker room in the third quarter of Friday's Game 6 of the first-round series against the Magic due to an apparent hand issue, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports.
Duren was seen getting his hand examined but remained in the game. However, the big man later exited to the locker room and can be considered questionable to return until more information comes to light.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Five rejections in Game 3 loss
Rotowire
Duren logged eight points (3-10 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and five blocks in 27 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 113-105 loss to the Magic in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The fourth-year center fell a bucket and a board short of his first double-double since April 2, but Duren made his biggest impact at the rim, with the five blocks topping any of his regular-season performances in 2025-26. Through three games in the series, he's averaging 9.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in 30.7 minutes heading into Game 4 on Monday.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Nears double-double in win
Rotowire
Duren racked up 11 points (4-10 FG, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 98-83 victory over the Magic in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Duren reached double figures in scoring but fell one rebound shy of a double-double in the Pistons' blowout win to even the series at one apiece. Coming off a breakout regular season in which he averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 65 percent shooting across 70 games, the 22-year-old has posted more modest numbers through two postseason contests, averaging 9.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 50 percent shooting. While a big effort wasn't needed in Wednesday's win, Duren will need to play closer to his regular-season level for Detroit to make a deep playoff run.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Well handled in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
Duren notched eight points (3-4 FG, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 33 minutes during Sunday's 112-101 loss to Orlando in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Duren was unable to make a significant impact, turning in one of his worst performances of the season. Despite playing 33 minutes, it was simply a rough night for Duren, who played a passive role on both ends of the floor and posted his worst scoring output since March 5. Based on the season he has put together, Duren will almost certainly be better when the two teams face off again in Game 2.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Paul Reed: Back to bench
Rotowire
Reed will come off the bench for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Magic on Sunday, Eric Vincent of ClutchPoints.com reports.
This is an expected development with Jalen Duren healthy again. Reed was sharp in a spot start for the regular-season finale with 26 points (11-11 FG, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks in 21 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Omitted from injury report
Rotowire
Duren (knee) isn't listed on the injury report for Sunday's Game 1 against the Magic.
Duren sat out Detroit's regular-season finale due to right knee injury management, though he's good to go for the start of the playoffs. The star big man averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.6 blocks in 29.6 minutes per contest over five regular-season outings in April.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Not playing Sunday
Rotowire
Duren (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Pacers.
The Pistons are locked in as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, so Duren will get a little extra rest ahead of the postseason. The fourth-year big man enjoyed a career year in 2025-26, earning his first All-Star selection and averaging a career-high 19.5 points per game along with 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 steals over 28.2 minutes per contest. Isaiah Stewart and Paul Reed should both see extended playing time Sunday in Duren's absence.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Nears double-double Friday
Rotowire
Duren had 20 points (8-11 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and four assists over 22 minutes during Friday's 118-100 victory over the Hornets.
Duren ended just one rebound shy of recording what would've been an efficient double-double in 22 minutes, as he also missed just three of his 11 shots from the floor. Even though this was Duren's fourth straight without a double-double, the All-Star big man continues to produce on both ends of the court for a Pistons team that already locked up the No. 1 seed in the East. Duren is ending the season on a strong note. He has scored at least 20 points and/or has grabbed at least nine rebounds in five of his last six games since a one-game absence on March 30 versus the Thunder due to knee injury management.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Strong line in win
Rotowire
Duren supplied 21 points (8-9 FG, 5-7 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one block across 28 minutes during Wednesday's 137-111 win over the Bucks.
This was just another day in the office for Duren in what has been a standout campaign. With 69 appearances to his name, Duren holds averages of 19.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.3 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Available to play
Rotowire
Duren (illness) is available for Saturday's meeting with the 76ers.
Duren will power through the illness and make himself available for Saturday's match. In two games against the 76ers this season, Duren has averaged 17.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.5 swats per contest.
... See More... See Less
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Expected to play Saturday
Rotowire
Duren (illness) is expected to play Saturday against the 76ers, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told Austin Krell of OnPattison.com.
Duren has started and played at least 35 minutes in his last two appearances, against the Raptors and Timberwolves, tallying a combined 53 points, 23 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in back-to-back wins. Even though Duren is carrying a questionable tag and no official decision has been made, Bickerstaff's words suggest the big man should suit up and handle his regular workload. Duren is averaging 22.2 points and 10.4 boards per game since the beginning of March.
