In his latest Bleacher Report update, NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed that both sides have taken a significant step since the Pistons cleared key cap space via the Caris LeVert trade, which could be allotted to Duren’s next contract. “There’s been momentum and positive direction between Duren and the Pistons. And ever since that Caris LeVert trade for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, that opened up the cap space for Detroit to give Jalen Duren his 25% max contract that he is looking for,” Fischer claimed. “I do think they’re getting close. That’s my latest understanding of that situation. I don’t know exactly how close or when to expect it, but definitely closer than when they were before that trade. And I think that trade was indicative of some positive movement between Detroit and Jalen Duren.”
More on Jalen Duren: Recent HoopsHype Rumors
The Pistons would prefer to keep Duren rather than cooperate in a sign-and-trade (the Kings, for example, were known to be offering big man Domantas Sabonis). But a league source, granted anonymity to discuss negotiations still in progress, told The Athletic that signing Duren is Detroit’s No. 1 offseason priority and the team is confident it’ll come to an agreement with Duren. Both sides want to get a deal done that makes sense for everyone involved, the source said. — 7/16/2026 New York Times
Oh No He Didn’t: Chris Haynes on Jalen Duren: “If he takes that (qualifying offer)…he really wants out, he is fed up…he doesn’t want to be there. Even if that’s the case I would say do not do that” — 7/16/2026 x.com
SiriusXM NBA Radio: ‘He’s ours, we’re happy to have him. I know Trajan Langdon is excited, JB Bickerstaff loves him. He’s ours and hopefully, we get things worked out.’ Pistons advisor Dwane Casey discusses Jalen Duren’s playoff struggles and how Detroit’s front office is feeling as both sides have yet to come to an extension — 7/13/2026 x.com
Keith Smith: Factoring in the reported contracts for John Collins, Kevin Huerter & Javonte Green and the Gary Harris/Taurean Prince acquisitions, I’ve got the Pistons at about $42.8M under the luxury tax. That’s enough room to give Jalen Duren a 25% of the cap max without going into the tax. — 7/7/2026 x.com
The primary reason the Lakers likely chose Kessler over offering a max deal to Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren is that Kessler is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors. He’s the kind of interior presence a team needs if it’s going to employ Dončić and Reaves on the perimeter as primary playmakers. In 2024-25, Kessler’s last full(ish) season, he contested 7.5 shots per game at the rim, according to NBA.com, which tied for the fifth-most in the league. On those shots, he allowed opponents to shoot just 54.8 percent. Among the 16 players in the league to contest at least six shots per game that season, that percentage ranked third behind only Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, who were the top two finalists for Defensive Player of the Year this season. In the three full seasons he has played, Kessler has blocked at least 2.3 shots per game. — 7/2/2026 New York Times
The Pistons have maintained their stance that they’re not interested in sign-and-trade scenarios for Jalen Duren and will continue to try to bridge the gap between both sides and get a deal done. Duren and Domantas Sabonis share the same agency, The Team. With Sabonis, 30, naturally looking to compete in the prime of his career instead of beginning a rebuild, and the Kings exploring the trade market for Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, it’s easy to see why this Duren sign-and-trade scenario would appeal to Sacramento. On paper, however, going from the 22-year-old Duren to the 30-year-old Sabonis, who’s owed $94.08 million over the next two years, isn’t prudent for Detroit. — 7/2/2026 HoopsHype
Duren was told by the Lakers in the meeting that they view him as a maximum-salary level player, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations. The 22-year-old received a similar message of strong interest from the Sacramento Kings, who also met with Duren on Tuesday and indicated that they will continue to explore sign-and-trade scenarios to land him. — 7/1/2026 New York Times
Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren had a productive meeting with the Lakers on Tuesday and is scheduled to meet with them again on Wednesday morning, league sources told The Athletic. — 7/1/2026 New York Times
Shams Charania: Lakers president Rob Pelinka has been in the midst of multiple meetings with free agents. That includes restricted free agents like Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren. That includes other unrestricted free agents as well. They’re going to prioritize some size, shooting, backcourt help. I think all of it. — 7/1/2026 YouTube
Jake Fischer: Detroit has maintained a stance that they won’t sign-and-trade franchise center Jalen Duren. But key starter Tobias Harris is leaving the Pistons, unless he ultimately would want to return to Detroit on a very reduced salary. — 7/1/2026 x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jalen Duren, Pistons getting closer to figuring out his next contract to remain with team?
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