​On the eve of NBA free agency negotiations, Jalen Duren is reportedly preparing to test the market, but the Detroit Pistons remain committed to re-signing their rising star. Multiple sources told the Free Press that the Pistons do not plan to trade the 22-year-old restricted free agent. Duren is said to be setting up a meeting with the Sacramento Kings to explore a potential sign-and-trade, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Inside the Pistons organization, there is strong confidence that Duren will ultimately re-sign with Detroit.
Duren’s camp is also arranging a call with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, per The Athletic’s Sam Amick, who previously reported that Duren was open to sign-and-trade scenarios. The official negotiation period begins at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 30.
Duren, 22, just completed a breakout season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65 percent shooting. He co-starred with Cade Cunningham on what was arguably the Pistons’ best team in nearly two decades, helping the franchise reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and win at least 60 games. Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has repeatedly underscored the priority of keeping Duren, saying, “I want him here, that’s where I’m at with JD. We really want J.D. to be here.”
Because Duren earned third-team All-NBA, he reached the “higher maximum criteria,” which would allow for a maximum of five years and up to $287 million, a substantial increase from the previous $239 million he could have claimed. However, his postseason performances were not overwhelming, as he averaged 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 51.4 percent shooting over 14 playoff games, ending with a seven-game series loss to the Cavaliers.
Outside teams are limited to an offer starting at up to 25 percent of the cap with a 5 percent annual increase over four years, plus cap-space constraints, which translates to roughly $177.4 million in total. The Pistons can extend one more year and a higher total salary, even if the yearly value is lower, and can exceed the cap for the right deal. For example, a five-year, $200 million contract from Detroit would surpass an outside offer, but not exceed it in annual value by much. The Pistons also retain the right to match any external offer, keeping leverage in negotiations. A sign-and-trade would cap Duren’s deal at four years and $177 million, a route Detroit isn’t pursuing. His other option would be to accept the qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.