The Detroit Pistons were able to make strides this season, making it to the second round of the playoffs, but losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. The foundation they have is strong, and they have some moves to make during the offseason, one of them being extending Jalen Duren.
The Pistons' big man showed major improvement this season, but he sort of flamed out in the postseason, which some believe could affect his contract talks, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
“Duren is still likely to command a new contract approaching $40 million per year, a sign of his improvement, his importance to the roster and his relationship with Pistons superstar guard Cade Cunningham,” Bontemps wrote. “Though there's a chance, especially after the impasse between the two sides last summer and fall during his extension negotiations, that Duren could seek a suitor to give him a hefty offer sheet that the Pistons would all but certainly match.”
An executive has some thoughts on how the conversation might go with Duren and the Pistons.
“If he wants to get a max, they'll tell him to go get one,” the executive told ESPN. “But he's Cade's guy, so they'll have to play it the right way.”
There's no doubt that the Pistons will extend Duren; the question at this point is how much he will get. There are still some areas on the team where they can get better, and it was obvious in the postseason that they needed a solid scoring option alongside Cunningham.
It's uncertain how they'll be able to get that option, or if they think Duren will take another step in his game. They may be hoping that the latter happens because anything else may cost them some assets that they're not willing to give up just yet.
