The Jalen Duren contract situation with the Detroit Pistons isn’t improving. In fact, it’s getting worse.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Duren, Detroit’s center, won’t attend the Pistons’ media day on Monday, Sept. 27, and isn’t expected to be there for the start of training camp.
This follows his rejection of the Pistons’ five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed offer in restricted free agency. Thursday’s deadline for Duren to accept a qualifying offer includes a one-year, $9.6 million deal, but it’s unclear whether it will get that far. If Duren signs the qualifying offer, he becomes an unrestricted free agent next year.
Duren was fantastic for the Pistons last season, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and two assists per game. This was his fourth NBA season, and it was his best by far.
MORE: Jalen Duren could force his way out of Detroit amid contract dispute
What’s next for Jalen Duren and the Pistons?
Duren has been away from the Pistons for most of the offseason, and that doesn’t appear to be changing. Teams could also try to trade for him if this saga continues into the preseason and even the regular season.
The Pistons went 60-22 last season and made the playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. They beat the Orlando Magic in the first round.
This was the second straight season in which the Pistons made the playoffs. Let’s see if they can make it three in a row this year.
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