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Jalen Duren's path to $200 million this NBA offseason was something however simple.
Because the final lingering member of the restricted free-agent class, even skipping s media day, Detroit's star heart finally landed a profitable five-year extension — nevertheless it took months of stalemates in negotiations to get there.
Based mostly on numerous reviews, Duren didn't take the Pistons' facet of the negotiations very kindly. Not solely did the crew reportedly attempt to embrace a "weight clause" with considerations concerning the heart's measurement, however based mostly on t, the Pistons indicated to Duren that they didn't imagine he's even a top-3 participant on their crew.
Right here's what to know concerning the newest wrinkle revealed in Duren's dramatic contract negotiations this previous offseason.
Why Jalen Duren was known as '4th-best participant' by Pistons
If something was clear in the course of the negotiations between Duren and the Pistons, it's that issues weren’t on good phrases between the middle and his crew. With Duren contemplating taking a qualifying supply for the 2026-27 season so he might hit free company once more subsequent summer season, he held out from Pistons media day whereas remaining an unrestricted free agent.
Finally, the edges agreed to a five-year, $200 million extension, they usually'll be placing their variations previously. However there have been a number of reviews about approaches the Pistons took to negotiations that Duren didn’t take kindly.
First, the Pistonss, arguing that the crew must monitor Duren's weight regardless of no earlier indications that it was a priority.
Now, on Friday, s even indicated to Duren that he "was the crew's fourth-best participant."
"Maybe stated in a method to illustrate how far he'd fallen within the playoffs, maybe the chilly a part of negotiations," Goodwill wrote of the negotiations.
That nugget comes after Duren was named an All-Star for the primary time in 2025-26, a big purpose the Pistons received 60 video games and claimed the Jap Convention's No. 1 seed. He did, nevertheless, then battle within the playoffs, dropping from 19.5 to 10.2 factors per sport.
"Final season was a few of my highest moments in my profession and a few of my lowest," Duren stated after signing his extension, N. "I'm keen to acknowledge that. And I'm keen to show that frustration and that anger and no matter I felt towards my play and the way issues could have ended, I've discovered as an alternative of exerting my vitality in being mad, exerting my vitality into bettering my craft."
Whereas it's clear that Cade Cunningham is the star of the franchise, Duren's breakout season put him in place to arguably be the No. 2 choice for Detroit. But, in keeping with Goodwill, the Pistons didn't see it that means throughout contract talks.
Regardless, it's all historical past now for the Pistons, who can start their new season figuring out Duren is locked-in for the long-term.
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