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The Detroit Pistons have finally worked things out this season, after years of disappointment. Now, if they want to continue their success, they need to lock down their core.
They already locked down Cade Cunningham, but they haven’t locked down his co-star in Jalen Duren, who’s a restricted free agent after this season. Luckily, though, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley predicts that the Pistons will re-sign Duren to a five-year, $200 million deal.
“While Cade Cunningham's MVP candidacy gets rightfully credited as the primary driver of the Detroit Pistons' spike to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Duren's All-Star ascension might be second-most critical development in the Motor City…With Detroit holding matching rights, it's hard to picture the Pistons letting Duren get away. The question is more whether they'll max him out themselves or let someone else do it, knowing they'll be able to match. Assuming Detroit has a deep playoff run, look for the front office to try keeping the good times rolling by paying him max money itself. Prediction: The Pistons re-sign Duren to a five-year, $200 million deal,” Buckley wrote.
So far this season, Duren is averaging 19.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28 minutes per game. He also received his first All-Star nod, his first award since making the 2022-23 All-Rookie team.
This would be a major investment for the Pistons. For the past three seasons they have only paid Duren around $4 million a year, with this season being bumped up to $6.5 million. This contract would then make him average $40 million a year, but if he keeps growing as a player and maybe takes on more minutes, he could be well worth it.
Hopefully, the Pistons make a deep playoff run, and Duren proves himself to be indispensable. If he does, the Pistons have no other choice than to offer him the extension.
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