Pistons and restricted free agent Jalen Duren remain in contract standoff

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren remains unsigned as the October 1 deadline for his $9.6 million qualifying offer approaches. The 22-year-old restricted free agent is seeking a contract extension reportedly averaging more than $40 million annually, while the Pistons have offered approximately $35 million per year. Duren earned All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors during the 2025-26 season, though the team is pointing to his reduced statistical output during the postseason as a basis for the negotiation gap. If Duren accepts the qualifying offer, he will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the next season. The front office, led by Trajan Langdon, faces mounting pressure to secure the center before the October deadline.

• 6:40 PMYahoo Sports — Jalen Duren Is Unsigned With Time Running Out