On the eve of training camp, the Detroit Pistons still haven’t been able to work out a long-term deal with Jalen Duren after his All-Star campaign.
Once next week arrives, the Detroit Pistons will turn the page to training camp after a lengthy offseason filled with more than a few roster moves for a squad that won 60 games last regular season, but such turnover was necessary after an untimely second round banishment from the postseason.
While Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon has been busy trading away veterans for a new stock of long-range specialists, the team still hasn’t worked out a long-term deal with restricted free agent Jalen Duren. In fact, the Pistons haven’t worked out any kind of agreement with the 22-year old All-Star with an Oct. 1 qualifying offer deadline rapidly approaching.
In terms of that tumultuous negotiation process, Duren’s camp has pushed for a deal that remotely resembles max value after his 19.5-point, 10.5-rebound performance facilitated an All-NBA Third Team selection for the Memphis product. Detroit, on the other hand, has been less bullish about the big man’s value and wants to make sure the team keeps financial flexibility to surround Cade Cunningham with shooters since neither Duren nor Ausar Thompson contribute in that regard.
As of late, word out of Motown is that the Pistons have offered Duren a five-year, $200 million contract, so he’d be in the ballpark of $40 million each season depending on if it’s an ascending, descending or flat deal. Coincidentally, those are the exact same parameters that’ve been used as the landing point for Brandon Miller’s rookie scale extension with the Charlotte Hornets.
Though Miller hasn’t put pen to paper on such a deal just yet, it seems to be a matter of when the deal will be signed as opposed to if it’ll be completed at all, and the two sides have until Oct. 20 to reach an agreement. If those are the terms that Miller eventually signs for, Duren’s negotiating position might grow even stronger since he’s arguably a more valuable franchise piece and has accomplished more in the NBA so far, though he’s had an extra year to do so.
On paper, Duren has the edge in terms of individual accolades considering Miller hasn’t made an All-NBA group or an All-Star squad after three seasons, but the two players excel in different areas. While Duren has made his name as a play finisher in the paint who cleans the boards, the Charlotte wing is a 20-point scorer with three-point shooting credentials from the wing.
Some could argue that Miller’s archetype is more valuable in terms of championship-building and roster construction, but talented, young big men are at a premium in the NBA. Most of the dominant outfits across the league benefit from an impactful center in their 20s who stakes control of the low post. The San Antonio Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, while the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks have Chet Holmgren and Karl-Anthony Towns respectively at the five.
If Miller does sign that five-year, $200 million contract, then there’s a non-zero chance that Duren’s team increases their target number even further when taking their resumes into consideration, so it would be in Detroit’s best interest to put the finishing touches on his deal as soon as possible.
