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Life is pretty good for Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons these days.
Alongside Cade Cunningham, Duren is a standout piece of the Pistons' young core -- which has Detroit sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a 23-6 record.
When Cunningham fouled out early in the fourth quarter of the Pistons' visit to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, Duren stepped up and delivered a game-high 26 points. The fourth-year big man added a game-best 12 rebounds as the Pistons won, 110-102, despite blowing a 21-point lead.
The performance continued to bolster Duren's case to receive to a maximum contract when he reaches restricted free agency after the season. The 22-year-old is on track to make his first All-Star team this season; he is averaging 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, while demonstrating improved ball-handling and playing lockdown defense.
MORE: Jalen Duren reveals how extension talks broke down with the Detroit Pistons
Veteran NBA insider Marc Stein believes, based on conversations with executives around the league, that Duren is on course to sign a new $40 million-per-year contract with the Pistons next year.
With the salary cap set to rise in 2026, that means Duren would be in line for a five-year, $200 million max contract in Detroit if his camp gets what it wants.
The Pistons look poised to be at or near the top of the East for years to come. For Detroit general manager Trajan Langdon, keeping Duren and Cunningham -- one of the league's best pick-and-roll duos -- together long-term will only entrench the Pistons' newfound position among the elite.
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