Jalen Duren is likely motivated to finally go to court after negotiating a new deal with the Pistons.
DETROIT (AP) — The lengthy negotiations between the Detroit Pistons and star center Jalen Duren have left no lingering animosity, at least not in the mind of head coach JB Bickerstaff.
Duren, a third-team All-NBA selection last season, agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract on Thursday. There were reports during the offseason that the restricted free agent was looking for sign-and-trade options and even felt disrespected by the front office.
Duren, who has not been released to the media, underwent physical and other tests Friday and is expected to begin training this weekend. Bickerstaff dismissed any suggestion that Duren might not be fully invested in returning to the team.
Duren ultimately accepts the Pistons’ permanent offer before the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline on a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer. Detroit placed the $200 million guaranteed bid two weeks ago after offers ranging from $170 million to $190 million throughout the summer. There have been fractures built… https://t.co/UHMKBeEVvG
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 2, 2026
“The biggest thing for us was to have JD back with us and I know JD wanted to be back,” Bickerstaff said. “Whatever was going around, we know what’s real. It’s a negotiation process and we followed the process and we knew it would come back.”
Duren had little leverage other than to sign a $9.6 million qualifying offer — which expired Thursday night — and become an unrestricted free agent after this season. President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has repeatedly said he has no interest in dealing his starting center.
Duren was eligible for a five-year contract worth up to $287 million, but this fully guaranteed deal will make him a top-10 center in terms of annual salary.
Story here, with @HunterPatterson, on @TheAthletic https://t.co/8YdeFLlrcg https://t.co/FqRsEUrh1C
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) October 2, 2026
“There was never any bitterness between the group and how we feel about him and I know how he feels about us,” Bickerstaff said.
Duren averaged 19.5 points last season, along with 10.5 rebounds per game on 65% shooting. He struggled in the playoffs, averaging 10.2 points as the top-seeded Pistons failed to advance out of the second round.
“We know how much he means to us and how important he has been to us over the last few years and how important he will be to us in the future,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s our guy. He’s been our guy and we’re happy to have him back.”
Duren has ways to expand his game. He is not a perimeter threat nor a prolific shot blocker (0.8 per game last season).
“He hasn’t reached his ceiling, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t expect him to take another step,” Bickerstaff said. “I know that’s what he wants to do. He wants to continue to improve and achieve greatness.”
BREAKING: Restricted free agent center Jalen Duren has agreed to accept the Detroit Pistons’ five-year, $200 million contract, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/FLT32mWnGa
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 2, 2026
Gn sports
