The Detroit Pistons are set to enter training camp without 22-year old All-Star Jalen Duren
After a long offseason that included impactful roster moves, the Detroit Pistons have reconvened ahead of the 2026-27 season, but there was one very noticeable absence from Media Day earlier today— Jalen Duren.
All throughout the summer, the Pistons have worked to find an agreement with the 22-year old All-Star center amid his restricted free agency, but that’s an obstacle which is easier to clear in theory than in practice. Pistons President of Basketball Operations reiterated that Duren has until Thursday to make a decision, which is the Oct. 1 deadline for qualifying offers, so the next several days should be crucial in terms of when JD reports to camp in the Motor City.
“I have not spoken to the young man all summer, so I don’t know how that is,” Langdon said. “For me, I’m not going to hold anything against him. Again, I’ll be very happy to have him back. I’ll be excited. He’s been a huge part of our success. I think he’ll continue to be a huge part of that going forward, but again, I can’t control the different things that he does or that his group does. For me, it’s controlling what we can so when he is back, it’s bringing him in, letting him know that he is a huge part and putting him in situations where he can be the best version of himself and help us out to the best degree that he can.”
Based on that response, Langdon spoke in a fashion that underscores some reporting from Pistons Roundtable during the summer. Since Detroit has been unwilling to engage in a sign-and-trade all offseason, the All-NBA Third Teamer has limited options right now, and he’s set to lose even more leverage when Oct. 1 arrives. Now, the Pistons do have the freedom to extend the qualifying offer deadline unilaterally until March 1, but it does not sound like Langdon is interested in pursuing that avenue.
Instead, Duren’s representation will have to grapple with the fact that the Pistons might not increase their five-year, $200 million offer once the Oct. 1 deadline passes. In that case, the only viable option would be for Duren to sign a long-term deal with Detroit so that he can continue his career alongside All-NBA floor general Cade Cunningham.
If the Pistons choose to trade Duren from that point forward, then the organization can negotiate for proper value at that stage, but all indications point towards JD remaining in the Motor City. The Pistons also inked a rookie scale extension with Ausar Thompson, so most of their offseason business has already been taken care of by this point.
But when it comes to Duren’s relationship with his teammates, that should be less of a concern. Cunningham mentioned that he understands the situation that Duren is going through, and that it’s important for him to provide support in a time where not many people can relate to the decisions at play. Truthfully, that type of response shows the brand of leadership that Cunningham offers in Motown, and it’s a big reason why the Pistons are looking forward with title aspirations as Cade heads into his sixth season as a pro.
