Pistons' Jalen Duren reportedly seeks exit from Detroit after becoming 'fed up' with organization

The Detroit Pistons had a strong regular season last year, but their success was short-lived in the playoffs as they failed to advance as far as they had hoped. Now, the Pistons are in the middle of a pivotal offseason, attempting to resolve the situation surrounding their young big man, Jalen Duren.

The two sides have reached a stalemate, making this one of the more interesting free agency situations in the NBA. At some point, Detroit may have to consider moving on if a resolution cannot be reached.

“The longer Jalen Duren remains unsigned in free agency, the Detroit Pistons will be forced to reconsider whether the hassle is worth the reward. Duren's All-NBA season officially made him eligible for a five-year supermax extension, but his underwhelming play in the postseason immediately made the chances of the big man landing that payday at an all-time low,” Pistons Powered’s John Canady wrote.

The situation has become a topic of discussion around the league. NBA legend Tracy McGrady does not believe the Pistons should give in and offer Duren a supermax contract.

“You can't give him the super-max," said McGrady. "I think he needed another year on the level that he was trending before it was considered. He deserves to be paid. But that super max? Phenomenal regular season 19 and 10, but the drop-off to 10 and 8 in the playoffs…I get it, the regular season. But our eyes saw that this year in the playoffs. They see the same thing that we witnessed. And it's tough, man, because it was so bad and it just put him in a bad, bad situation."

It has become an ugly situation for Duren, who believes he can continue producing at the level he showed last season. However, the longer the stalemate continues, the more frustrated he appears to be becoming.

“If he takes that (qualifying offer)...he really wants out, he is fed up...he doesn't want to be there. Even if that's the case I would say do not do that,” NBA reporter Chris Haynes said.

This is the harsh reality of two sides being far apart on what they believe is fair. Duren is coming off the best season of his career, so he believes he has earned the right to receive a significant payday.

However, Detroit does not appear to share that same belief, creating a major rift between the two sides. The Pistons drafted Duren with the expectation that he would become a cornerstone of their franchise, but their former first-round pick now appears to be searching for a way out.

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