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    At Last: Pistons, Jalen Duren agree to 5-year deal

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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Pistons and Jalen Duren agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract.

    The standoff between Duren and the Pistons has finally ended, with the 6-foot-10 center receiving a fully guaranteed deal worth $40 million per year. Although Duren had the best regular season of his career to date and earned All-NBA honors, his postseason struggles factored into Detroit needing seven games to eliminate Orlando before falling to Cleveland in the second round. Thursday’s agreement comes less than two hours before the deadline for Duren to accept the one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer that would have made him an unrestricted free agent next summer. With his immediate future in Detroit now secure, Duren offers third-round potential in standard fantasy leagues. The question is whether this saga will affect his performance, especially early in the season.
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  • DET Center #0
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    Duren is still embroiled in contract negotiations after turning down a $200 million deal from Detroit, and he could be headed toward signing a $9.6 million qualifying offer. The deadline to sign the qualifying offer is Thursday, and if Duren pursues that option, he would become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Sacramento has been linked to Duren as a team that would potentially pay him what he wants, but he could entertain offers from other suitors. John Collins is an interesting later-round flier in standard leagues, and Paul Reed makes a fine pick in deeper leagues.
  • DET Center #0
    The average annual value of the reported offer exceeds the deal the Pistons reportedly offered Duren earlier this summer, which came to $35 million annually. According to the report, the restricted free agent is seriously considering signing his qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season, worth $9.6 million. That route would let Duren enter unrestricted free agency next summer, but it comes with considerable risk. Of course, there’s the injury factor, but it also opens the door for the Pistons to trade Duren to avoid losing him in free agency for nothing. Duren has until October 1 to sign the qualifying offer; waiting until then means he would miss the first week of training camp.
  • DET Center #0
    Contract negotiations between Duren and the Pistons have dragged into September, just weeks before the team is scheduled to begin training camp. According to MacMahon, Detroit has offered the All-NBA center a five-year contract with an average annual salary of $35 million, while Duren is seeking an AAV of over $40 million. While he is coming off the best season of his NBA career, the 6-foot-10 center struggled in both of Detroit’s playoff series, which has likely factored into the contract negotiations. Also, the Pistons already have Cade Cunningham on a max deal, and they’re negotiating with Ausar Thompson as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Duren is a top-50 fantasy player, but it’s fair to wonder how the contract talks will affect his performance in 2026-27 if the hard feelings linger.
  • DET Center #0
    Coming off the most productive season of his NBA career, Duren appeared to be in line for a significant payday this summer. However, a subpar showing in the postseason cast doubt on whether the center was worth the max contract that he hopes to land. With Duren a restricted free agent and few teams having the cap space to meet his asking price, the Pistons held the leverage when free agency began in late June. Rumors suggested the Lakers and Kings were interested in a sign-and-trade, but the former added Walker Kessler and the latter has not moved Domantas Sabonis. So, the staring contest between Duren and the Pistons continues, and it’s fair to wonder if the nature of the negotiations will affect the center’s production in 2026-27. As he showed last season, Duren has top-50 value in fantasy basketball, but he has to agree to a deal first.
  • DET Center #0
    By playing under the qualifying offer next season, both Duren and Watson, who are currently restricted free agents, would leave millions on the table to become unrestricted free agents next offseason. Stein reports Denver’s initial contract offers to Watson were believed to be in the four-year, $70 million range. While that offer is certainly less than Watson wants, at least the sides are talking. Duren and the Pistons appear to be at a stalemate as Detroit has no interest in trading him or giving him the max contract he desires. While it’ll be interesting to see how both of these situations ultimately resolve themselves, it remains unlikely that either player will actually resort to accepting the qualifying offer.
  • DET Center #0
    Duren is set to meet with the Kings and Lakers as free agency opens Tuesday evening, but it takes two teams to complete a sign and trade and the Pistons are saying they’re anything but a willing participant. Detroit has said Duren is part of the team’s core and isn’t interested in trading the 22-year-old center. The Pistons are even prepared to match any potential offer sheets Duren might sign with another team as a restricted free agent. Duren staying with the Pistons has been the most likely outcome heading into the offseason and that remains the case.
  • DET Center #0
    Not long after it was reported that Duren would meet with the Kings, who hope to arrange a sign-and-trade with the Pistons, he will also meet with another Pacific Division team. The Lakers are seeking a starting center, as they look to upgrade the position after receiving underwhelming production from Deandre Ayton last season. Given their current salary cap situation, the Lakers would likely be in a position where re-signing LeBron James would be unrealistic if they signed Duren.
  • DET Center #0
    For quite some time now, it has been believed that Duren and the Pistons were far apart in their negotiations on a new deal. While the 2026 All-Star struggled during the postseason, Monday’s report is shocking. Not only will Duren meet with the Kings at the beginning of free agency, but he’ll do so to work out a sign-and-trade with the Pistons. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings plan to offer Domantas Sabonis to the Pistons to get a deal done. Of course, Detroit can always refuse to do so, especially if they decide to simply match whatever offer sheet Duren signs. If Duren were to move on, that would put the Pistons in the market for a new starting center, which could affect the market for a player like New York’s Mitchell Robinson.
  • DET Center #0
    Duren was named to the All-NBA third-team last week, making him eligible for a max contract worth up to $287 million over five years. Amick, who appeared on the Run It Back show Friday, said he has a hard time seeing the Pistons offering that much, which potentially could leave the organization and the player far apart in negotiations initially. With only a handful of teams with cap space this offseason, Duren, a restricted free agent, may still get his best offer from the Pistons, even if it isn’t a max deal.
  • DET Center #0
    All five third-team selections were named All-NBA for the first time in their respective careers on Sunday. Duren’s selection may be the most impactful, as he’ll hit restricted free agency next month. The All-NBA selection makes him eligible for a max deal worth up to $287 million over five years. However, given his struggles during the postseason and the Pistons’ need to also address Ausar Thompson’s future, Duren may not strike it that rich this summer. Especially with other teams unable to offer a deal on par with what the Pistons can.

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    Nique Clifford finished Monday’s exhibition against the Lakers with 23 points (8-of-13 FGs, 6-of-10 FTs), nine rebounds, two assists and one three-pointer.

    With starter Zach LaVine (nine points and one rebound) playing 15 minutes, Clifford was one of the reserves who logged extended minutes in Monday’s preseason opener. The second-year guard capitalized on the opportunity, leading all scorers with 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds. With DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook no longer in the fold, Clifford is one of the Kings who will have more opportunities to produce. Keep an eye on him during the preseason, as he may be worth a late-round flier.
  • SAC Forward-Guard #15
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    De’Andre Hunter (eye) accounted for three points (3-of-3 FTs) in Monday’s exhibition against the Lakers.

    Hunter, whose 2025-26 season ended in February due to an eye injury that required surgery, was in the starting lineup on Monday. The Kings did not have Keegan Murray, so fantasy managers should not read too much into that. What they should read into when evaluating Hunter is that he did not have an official shot from the field, with his points coming via a three-shot foul. And there was no rebounding or defensive production to speak of. Hunter has rarely offered reliable fantasy value as a pro, making him challenging to trust in drafts.
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    Cameron Carr tallied 19 points (7-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, two assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Monday’s exhibition against the Kings.

    After a positive showing at Summer League, Carr got his preseason off to an excellent start on Monday. The first-round pick shot over 50 percent from the field and was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line in his 23 minutes. Carr may not be a must-have player in standard redraft leagues, but he should be a popular target in dynasty startups. He has the all-around skill set, size and acumen to be an impact wing at the NBA level.
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    Jake LaRavia tallied 12 points (5-of-6 FGs, 0-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Monday’s exhibition against the Kings.

    With LeBron James and Rui Hachimura out of the picture, LaRavia’s opportunities should increase, whether he starts or comes off the bench. He was the Lakers’ sixth man on Monday and provided solid production outside of his poor foul shooting. While he may not be someone who fantasy managers look to invest a top-100 pick in, LaRavia is well worth the risk as a late-round option.
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    Quentin Grimes accounted for 16 points (5-of-7 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), one assist and two three-pointers in Monday’s exhibition against the Kings.

    Going into training camp, many saw Grimes as a frontrunner for one of the two undecided spots in the Lakers’ starting lineup. He started Monday’s preseason opener, logging 19 minutes and shooting reliably alongside playmaker Luka Dončić. The concern is that Grimes offered little production beyond points, three-pointers and percentages. Hopefully, that won’t be the case for him once the games count.
  • LAL Forward-Guard #77
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    Luka Dončić recorded 21 points (5-of-12 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), two rebounds, three assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Monday’s exhibition against the Kings.

    Dončić got his work done early on Monday, playing 16 minutes in the first half and not seeing any action in the second. He delivered his usual performance, doing most of what he wanted as a scorer while also recording five turnovers. The Lakers didn’t have Austin Reaves on Monday, but that won’t change anything regarding Dončić’s fantasy outlook. He will be one of the top options to have rostered, regardless of league format, but the Lakers point guard will be most valuable in turnover-punt builds.
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    Darius Acuff Jr. recorded 19 points (8-of-17 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), two rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Monday’s exhibition against the Lakers.

    As expected, Acuff started at point guard in the Kings’ preseason opener. The lottery pick out of Arkansas led the team in shot attempts, which was unsurprising since he logged 27 minutes and no other starter played more than 15. Acuff shot reasonably well from the field overall, but he went 1-of-4 from beyond the arc and finished with more turnovers (five) than assists (four). Efficiency can be an issue for rookie point guards, but it seems clear Acuff will be given every opportunity to work through those struggles.
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    Isaiah Stewart (ankle) finished Monday’s exhibition against the Hawks with one rebound.

    Stewart, acquired from the Pistons in late June, played just two minutes on Monday before exiting wth a left ankle injury. The forward/center landed awkwardly after attempting to block a shot and did not return. With Zach Edey still out, Quinten Post (eight points, four rebounds and two three-pointers) would have added fantasy value if neither is available when the regular season begins. Post started Monday’s game and logged 12 minutes.
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    Kel’el Ware tallied 14 points (5-of-11 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 12 rebounds, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in Monday’s exhibition against the Timberwolves.

    Ware came off the bench in his unofficial Bucks debut, but that didn’t prevent the 7-footer from showing why he still has a top-100 ADP. He was highly active on both ends of the floor, recording a double-double and shooting 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. Given starting center Myles Turner’s (seven points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, and one three-pointer) rebounding struggles last season, Ware will have consistent fantasy value, even if he doesn’t start.
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    Ryan Rollins notched 15 points (6-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in Monday’s exhibition against the Timberwolves.

    Rollins’ defensive aggression helped Milwaukee hold Minnesota’s reserves to 21 points in the third quarter. However, that also contributed to him fouling out in 14 minutes of play. Rollins averaged 2.6 fouls per game during his breakout 2025-26 season, so there should not be any concern coming out of Monday’s game. In fact, the biggest takeaway is that he started with Kevin Porter Jr. (seven points, three rebounds, and two assists) coming off the bench. The question is whether head coach Taylor Jenkins will stick with this lineup or give KPJ opportunities to make the starting point guard job his own. If Rollins starts, he’ll have the opportunity to show that last season wasn’t a fluke.