Jalen Duren Reportedly Was Called '4th-Best' Pistons Player During $200M Contract Talks
Before signing a five-year, $200 million contract with the Detroit Pistons last week, All-Star center Jalen Duren reportedly took issue with how he was being characterized during negotiations.
According to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill, Duren was frustrated to hear himself referred to as the Pistons' "fourth-best player" during contract talks.
Selected 13th overall in the 2022 NBA draft, Duren has been an impact player for the Pistons throughout his four-year career.
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He took his game to the next level last season, though, averaging a career-high 19.5 points per game on 65.0 percent shooting to go along with 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
As a result, Duren was named an All-Star for the first time in addition to being an All-NBA Third Team selection.
With Duren and guard Cade Cunningham leading the way, the Pistons shockingly posted the best record in the Eastern Conference last season at 60-22, making them arguably the team to beat in the playoffs.
Detroit survived a tough challenge from the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic in the first round, beating them in seven games, but the Pistons then fell in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
Duren's significant dip in play from the regular season to the postseason was a major talking point after the Pistons were eliminated, as he averaged just 10.2 points on 51.4 percent shooting, plus 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14 playoff games.
He especially struggled with 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game during the second round.
Duren was clearly the Pistons' second-best player during the regular season behind only Cunningham, but in the playoffs, he was their fourth-leading scorer behind Cunningham, Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson.
Despite that and any hurt feelings that may have come from the negotiations, Duren and the Pistons got on the same page and agreed to a new deal, meaning he will be counted upon to be a key player for the team once again this coming season and beyond.
