Jalen Duren's Potential Pistons Contract Projected by NBA Execs Amid Talks in Free Agency

NBA executives proposed a wide salary range when recently asked by The Athletic's Fred Katz what would be an appropriate contract for Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren.

Contracts proposed by NBA executives speaking with Katz ranged from $230 million to $180 million over five years.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto previously reported there is a belief around the league Duren wants "close to $40 million annually," or $200 million over a five-year deal.

All of these options are below the five-year supermax worth 30 percent of the salary cap, which would pay Duren around $287 million over five years.

"Duren wants the max," Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko wrote. "Five years, $287 million. He is 22 years old, was a critical piece of a Pistons team that shocked the world en route to 60 wins and finished third team All-NBA."

The Pistons have tendered a qualifying offer to Duren, who would earn $9.6 million next season and then test free agency in 2027 should he pick it up.

One executive told Katz a fair offer to Duren would be $204.5 million, which represents the qualifying deal plus a four-year deal worth 25 percent of the salary cap.

Another executive proposed $190 million as a fair amount based on the Pistons' reported interest for Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves earlier this offseason, per Katz.

According to Katz, the Pistons were willing to give Reaves a four-year, $177 million deal before he re-signed with the Lakers.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported in a Tuesday appearance on NBA Today negotiations between the Pistons and Duren were "at a standstill right now" and could stretch "deep into August."

Duren, 22, earned his first All-Star nod and Defensive Player of the Year votes last season while averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds through 70 games.

Cade Cunningham is currently the only player on the Pistons roster signed past the 2028-29 season. Detroit currently has $54.6 million in space beneath the first apron, at which the team is hard-capped, per Spotrac.