During the 2025–26 campaign, Jalen Duren took a significant step forward, establishing himself as the long-awaited secondary option alongside Cade Cunningham. It proved to be a highly successful season for him, with the Detroit Pistons racking up 60 wins and securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Duren put up 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game with outstanding efficiency. However, his production fell off dramatically in the playoffs, slipping to just 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.
That postseason decline played a role in the Pistons deciding against offering Duren a max deal. Prior to the playoffs, he appeared to be a lock for a maximum contract potentially even a supermax but he ended up being one of Detroit’s least effective players during the postseason.
For a young center expected to be the second star next to Cunningham, that performance raised real concerns. Despite his clear potential, struggling right before extension talks put him in a difficult spot.
As a result, the Pistons have made it clear they’re not prepared to give Duren a max deal. In turn, Duren has started exploring other options, with the Sacramento Kings emerging as a compelling potential destination.
According to Omari Sankofa II, Pistons beat reporter for The Detroit Free Press, Duren’s Third-Team All-NBA selection triggered a higher maximum salary threshold, increasing Detroit’s potential offer from $239 million over five years to $287 million. Still, Sankofa noted that Duren is unlikely to receive either amount after a lackluster playoff showing that culminated in a seven-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As the offseason moves forward, this situation will be one to monitor closely. The Pistons may end up losing a key contributor following just one poor playoff run, and it appears Duren already has one eye on the exit after failing to secure the extension he was hoping for.
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