The stalemate between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons continued on Monday as the All-Star center missed media day and the start of training camp.
Duren is expected to skip media day for the organization on Monday and will also miss the start of training camp, per ESPN's Shams Charania. He has reportedly declined the four-year, $200 million offer (with weight stipulations) from the front office and will have until Thursday to accept the one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer.
Duren reportedly "considered" visiting the team facility to "support" his teammates and the franchise, however, this is hardly a hard stance from Duren nor a decision to gain leverage. NBA reporter Marc Stein clarified that the center is "not permitted" to participate
in team activities until he is under contract.
All-NBA center Jalen Duren is not attending Detroit Pistons media day Monday nor the start of training camp, declining the team’s five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed offer in restricted free agency so far, sources tell ESPN. The sides remain at a stalemate ahead of Thursday… pic.twitter.com/kcraJThcTi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 28, 2026
The 2026 NBA All-Star big man likely believes he is worth closer to a max deal, which is worth 25 percent of the salary cap, from the Pistons. But after a rough showing in the postseason, Detroit's front office is balking at such a decision.
A max deal for Duren next summer would earn him $189.2 million over four years, per CBS Sports, or $47.3 million per season. The current offer on the table is worth $40 million average annual value, though he reportedly has felt "perceived disrespect" during the negotiation process.
Here is more from Sam Amick (via The Athletic):
"Per league sources, Duren believes he could land a maximum-salary deal next summer and eventually make up the money lost next season over the course of the next five years."
Amick reported that two potential suitors include the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks, though a sign-and-trade before the season is considered unlikely.
The ongoing saga will continue over the following 72 hours as the two sides near the start of the preseason.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jalen Duren to miss Pistons' training camp start as contract unreached
