The offseason is over. Detroit Pistons media day is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28. Training camp opens a day later, and their first preseason game tips off at Little Caesars Arena next Monday on Oct. 5.
The Pistons have one major unresolved piece of business – Jalen Duren, who remains in restricted free agency limbo days before his qualifying offer deadline of Oct. 1. But even beyond Duren, it's been a long time since the Pistons were this interesting on the eve of media day.
In our final offseason mailbag, Free Press Pistons beat writer Omari Sankofa II tackles questions related to the Duren standoff and the roster as a whole as the team prepares for its most consequential season in nearly two decades.
start with Jalen Duren dark cloud
Why have the Pistons been so resistant to sign and trade scenarios when it comes to Duren's situation? He's made it clear he doesn't want to be here anymore, so why won't they just move on? — @ShallowFox4
If Duren remains unsigned as we get within a couple days of October 1st deadline and risk of him signing the QO increases, do you see Trajan being willing to listen and engage with other teams for sign and trade opportunities?--- @BeetFarm19
Restricted free agency is a leverage game. It seems many Pistons fans have soured on Jalen Duren after a poor performance in the playoffs, followed by an offseason of reports from national outlets that he’s considering taking the $9.6 million qualifying offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. But if the goal is to maximize the Pistons’ extension offer, his approach to negotiations makes more sense.
The restricted free agency system is intended to give teams the upper hand at retaining their own star young players. Duren, 22, is eligible for a five-year extension worth up to $287 million after reaching supermax eligibility by making All-NBA third team last season. The Pistons' offer, per reports, has increased and is currently around five years and $200 million. They can match any outside offers, and outside teams are capped at $177.4 million over four years.
An offer sheet was never presented to Duren this summer, giving the Pistons maximum leverage. It makes sense that they’re wary of overpaying the big man, particularly after his postseason disappearance. The second apron severely punishes high-payroll teams, and the Pistons already are paying Cade Cunningham a supermax contract and recently reached a five-year, $155 million extension with Ausar Thompson. Their young roster is rapidly becoming more expensive.
But it’s also hard to fault Duren for demanding a bigger salary, given what he’s accomplished. Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who signed a five-year, $185 million extension two years ago, has yet to make an All-NBA team or progress beyond the first round of the playoffs. Amen Thompson, whom the Rockets signed to a $208 million extension earlier this month, made All-Defensive first team in 2025 but hasn’t been named All-NBA or to an All-Star team.
Taking the qualifying offer could be disastrous for Duren, as he’d have to leave tens of millions on the table with no guarantee of recouping it down the road. But by design, the threat of taking it is his only source of leverage. To answer @ShallowFox4’s question, I don’t think it’s clear Duren wants out of Detroit despite the reports. What is clear is that he wants more money, is not happy with how negotiations have progressed thus far and is comfortable letting the clock run out.
The Pistons have held firm and declined to explore sign-and-trades because there’s no logical reason for them to signal they’re open to moving a player they’ve won with and intend to build around. The assumption is that Duren’s bluffs are just that – bluffs – and that he eventually will sign an extension and put this saga in the rearview. But media day is Sept. 28, training camp starts Sept. 29 and Duren’s deadline to take the qualifying offer is Oct. 1. There’s a possibility team president Trajan Langdon will be forced to publicly address the unresolved contract standoff on Monday and that coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Duren’s teammates will have to explain Duren’s absence on Tuesday if he doesn’t report to camp.
So Duren holds the cards. He can put ink to paper by Sunday evening and bury the story for good, or he can inflict more pain and make his contract standoff a big distraction. If he chooses the latter option, it will impact his relationship with the franchise and potentially alter opinions on his long-term fit in Detroit.
How much do you think their chemistry affected their overall on-court success last year? And do you think their chemistry will be hurt by all of the offseason “stuff”? — @_ThePullUp
Chemistry and depth were two of the Pistons’ biggest strengths last season, and were key reasons why they won 60 games and led the Eastern Conference standings. For two years, the Pistons have enjoyed good vibes and explosive growth. They caught the NBA by surprise in consecutive seasons, going from 14 to 44 wins and a playoff appearance, to 60 wins and their first playoff series win since 2008.
This season, it feels as though their forward inertia is no longer a given. The East has improved, and a young team is now dealing with big-boy problems – most prominently, Duren’s ongoing contract standoff. Whether or not it hurts team chemistry depends on Duren’s approach. If he shows up to camp on Day 1 with a business-like approach, the team will move forward with him. If his bitter contract negotiation spills over into his play or attitude, it will be felt.
One guy I’m really interested in watching this year is Ron Holland. Curious to see if he’s part of the long term plan or becomes a trade chip down the road — @FlightWith9
It will be a critical Year 3 for Ron Holland, who has emerged as the team’s second-best perimeter defender after Ausar Thompson but has to grow on offense to solidify his future. The Pistons typically staggered Thompson and Holland rather than play them together, since neither of them are 3-point threats and the offense had a tendency to stagnate with both of them on the floor.
With Thompson’s future with the Pistons secured, Holland’s future success depends in part on his ability to play alongside Thompson. A credible outside shot would alleviate most concerns. Holland is only a career 24.6% shooter from the arc but showed flashes last season, knocking down 12 of 27 attempts (44.4%) through their final nine games. He and Thompson have both worked on their jumpers extensively this offseason.
Since Holland will become extension-eligible next summer, it’ll be a critical season for him to deliver on the promise that led to him becoming the fifth overall pick in 2024.
Camp battles for a roster spot and for rotation minutes. How does Huerter fit into a rotation that has about ten guys in front of him? What does the 4 rotation look like with John Collins? Who is going to be the lead vet to replace Tobias this year? — @steeplecoach.bsky.social
Kevin Huerter has a chance to be an X-factor this season. The veteran wing arrived at the trade deadline in February, in a move that sent Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls, and began finding his footing before a left adductor strain forced him to miss most of the playoffs.
Huerter shot 37.5% from 3 through the first six years of his career, but that dipped to 32.4% over his last two seasons. The word this offseason is that Huerter has looked good during workouts, and the return of his jumper could make him a key reserve next season. But even without a reliable outside percentage, opposing defenders respect the threat of his shot, and he’s an all-around player – a big wing who brings smarts on defense and playmaking and finishing offensively. He will be a factor next season.
John Collins is the new starting power forward following Tobias Harris’ departure. Behind him, the Pistons can go a variety of ways. Huerter, Javonte Green, Ron Holland and Taurean Prince can all play backup minutes at the four. And as for the leadership piece, I think it’ll be by committee. This roster has grown up. They have real playoff experience, Cunningham is in Year 6 and Duren’s in Year 5. I just don't think there’s a need for a single veteran to bring what Harris brought when he arrived to a franchise coming off its worst-ever season in 2024.
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
For (preseason) openers: Suns
Matchup: Pistons (60-22 in 2025-26) vs. Phoenix (45-37), exhibition opener.
Faceoff: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
TV/radio: TBD.
Regular-season opener: Vs. Celtics; 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; NBC.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons mailbag: Will Jalen Duren contract standoff spill into training camp?
