Pistons still unable to reach deal with Cade Duren
Detroit Pistons center Jaylen Duren remains without a new contract as the club and his representatives continue to disagree over salary. Both sides reportedly agree on contract length but not on the money.
With most NBA offseason business already settled, the Detroit Pistons still have one unresolved matter: center Jaylen Duren remains a free agent without a new deal. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the update, citing sources close to the situation.
Duren entered this offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning other teams could theoretically offer him a contract, but the Pistons retain the right to match any offer. With the summer nearly over, the chance of an outside team making an offer has become unlikely, leaving Duren's camp to keep negotiating directly with Detroit.
Gap in salary expectations
According to MacMahon, the Pistons are prepared to offer Duren a five-year deal averaging around $35 million per season. Duren's representatives, however, are seeking an average of at least $40 million per season. The two sides have reportedly agreed on the length of the contract, with salary being the main sticking point.
The negotiations have dragged on since last summer, when Duren first had the chance to sign an extension. Since then, he put together a strong season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, earning his first All-Star selection and a spot on the season's All-NBA Third Team. His production dropped notably in the playoffs, however, as the 22-year-old center averaged just 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
If Duren were to land the salary his representatives are seeking, he would join a small group of centers set to earn more than $35 million next season, including Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Domantas Sabonis, Rudy Gobert and Alperen Sengun.
