Jason Burgos
A new report suggests that the Detroit Pistons are really hoping big man Jalen Duren does not earn All-NBA honors for this season.
On Tuesday night, the Pistons kick off their semifinals series against division rivals the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is the latest step forward in what has been the franchise’s most productive season since they went to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.
Without a doubt, top star Cade Cunningham has played a monumental role in the Pistons success this season. But second on the list for credit is center Jalen Duren. The 2022 first-round pick had a breakout season in 2025-26. Leading the team in rebounds (10.5) and finishing second in points (19.5). His emergence as an All-Star is why they are the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Furthermore, his big season comes at a perfect time for him. He is in the final year of his contract and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. For months, the expectation is that the Pistons will match whatever offer he gets. However, the franchise has always been on the conservative side when it comes to spending. And there is a place they are not willing to go to when it comes to Duren.
Detroit Pistons won’t pay Jalen Duren supermax money
In a new report from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the pair of NBA insiders revealed, “If Duren is selected to the All-NBA team, he would become supermax-eligible, which is a zone where the Pistons might not venture.” Cunningham is already playing on a supermax deal that will pay him an average of $55 million per year.
It’s not to say the Pistons are unwilling to pay two players that type of money. It’s probably more that they just don’t want to pay Duren that sort of money, and they shouldn’t after he came up small in their opening round series against the Orlando Magic.
So what could be a good middle ground for both sides? A Western executive told Bontemps and Windhorst that a deal in the mid-$30 million per year range is what Duren could end up getting after a career year this season.
