Jalen Duren mulling dramatic transfer amid ongoing free company
Jalen Duren could also be able to escalate issues amid his ongoing standoff with the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons free-agent middle Duren is contemplating taking part in out the 2026-27 season on the one-year qualifying provide, veteran NBA author Marc Stein reported this week. Doing so would permit Duren, presently a restricted free agent, to turn into an unrestricted free agent in summer season 2027.
Duren, 22, stays in a stalemate with Detroit almost a month now into the official free company interval. The final that we heard of Duren’s state of affairs was that there was nonetheless a spot to be bridged between the 2 sides in negotiations.
The ex-lottery decide Duren earned All-Star and All-NBA honors through the common season however largely disappeared through the playoffs because the No. 1 seed Pistons misplaced within the second spherical to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although Duren continues to be holding out for a particular excessive quantity in free company, neither Detroit nor another exterior suitors look like prepared to present that to him at this level.
For Duren, the one-year qualifying provide could be value roughly $9.6 million subsequent season. Whereas that will clearly be leaving some huge cash on the desk and likewise placing him susceptible to tanking his worth in 2026-27 (by means of harm or lowered manufacturing), it might additionally led to Duren incomes way more cash subsequent summer season.
Curiously sufficient, Duren is just not alone in contemplating the qualifying provide route this offseason. In reality, one other notable NBA restricted free agent is reportedly doing the identical as properly.
