The Pistons have no interest in sign-and-trade scenarios and plan to match any offer sheet center Jalen Duren might receive in restricted free agency, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN and Andscape (Twitter link).
Spears also hears Detroit has offered what the team thinks is the “most lucrative contract possible” to Duren.
Duren is coming off a very strong regular season — he made his first All-Star team and averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 70 games while shooting 65% from the field. The 22-year-old earned third-team All-NBA honors, which made him eligible for a “Rose Rule” contract with the Pistons, who can offer him up to 30% of the salary cap instead of the usual 25%.
Questions emerged in the playoffs, however, as Duren’s averages slipped to 10.2 PPG and 8.5 RPG over the course of two seven-game series against Orlando and Cleveland. He was particularly ineffective against the Cavs, with the Pistons turning multiple times to backup big man Paul Reed in his place.
For what it’s worth, the maximum a rival team can offer Duren is approximately $177.4MM over four years. The Pistons, on the other hand, can theoretically offer Duren up to $287.1MM over five years or $221.8MM over four.
We first heard on Friday that talks between Duren and the Pistons had stalled after the big man was “underwhelmed” by the team’s initial offer. At that time, Sam Amick of The Athletic stated that Duren intended to explore sign-and-trade scenarios once free agency opened.
NBA insider Chris Haynes then reported on Monday that Duren planned to meet with the Kings at the start of free agency and wanted to pursue a sign-and-trade to Sacramento. The Lakers are reportedly going to meet with Duren as well.
However, subsequent reporting indicated that the Pistons were resistant to a potential sign-and-trade deal and were confident in their ability to retain the young big man, who was selected 13th overall in the 2022 draft. Spears’ report is further confirmation that Detroit remains focused on bringing back Duren.
