Jalen Duren says he wants ‘to be a Detroit Piston for life’ after combative contract negotiations, eventual $200 million extension

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren met with reporters on Sunday for the first time since agreeing to a five-year, $200 million contract extension that ended a combative offseason standoff between the team and the restricted free agent.

Seated next to Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, Duren said he felt “relief and excitement” over finally resolving his contract dispute.

Advertisement

“A lot of emotions, a lot of emotions. I’m just happy for my family,” he said. “Obviously I’m the one who’s frontline, being talked about and everybody’s kind of asking what’s going on.”

Duren, who turns 23 on Nov. 18, went on to express frustration over the narratives that developed regarding his willingness to continue playing in Detroit and rumored displeasure with the front office over contract negotiations.

“Nothing came from me, so everything that was being heard was speculation,” Duren said. “I don’t fault anybody for that. But I do know that, a lot of the things were false and people believe things without it coming from the source’s mouth. So there’s nothing much you can do about that.”

Advertisement

The 6-foot-10 All-Star then made a statement that might surprise Pistons fans, many of whom have turned on him following a poor playoff performance and seemingly acting as if he wanted to play elsewhere.

“I am a Detroit Piston. I want to be a Detroit Piston for life,” Duren said. “I want to give everything I got for this city and the fans. From me to y’all, y’all will have everything I have and will get everything I can give. I want the city to know that I truly do believe in what we’re building.”

Last season, Duren became a first-time All-Star, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. That performance also earned him Third Team All-NBA honors, which was the basis of his contract dispute with the Pistons.

Advertisement

Being named to an All-NBA team made Duren eligible for a max extension of five years and $287 million. Yet throughout the offseason, Detroit was unwilling to offer that kind of contract and devote a portion of their salary cap to a $57 million average annual wage.

Part of the issue was…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/jalen-duren-says-he-wants-to-be-a-detroit-piston-for-life-after-combative-contract-negotiations-eventual-200-million-extension-005237719.html

Author : Ian Casselberry

Publish date : 2026-10-05 00:52:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.