A $200m contract stand-off has rivals circling Pistons star Jalen Duren, while a fresh concern has emerged around Stephen Curry.
Meanwhile, Amen Thompson has landed a monster $208m extension and fan favourite Tacko Fall is officially back in the NBA.
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBA Daily
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$200M STAND-OFF AS RIVALS CIRCLE PISTONS STAR
The Detroit Pistons are facing a potential $200 million headache as negotiations with rising star Jalen Duren reportedly remain at a standstill.
Duren is seeking a contract worth more than $40 million annually, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, with Detroit’s latest offer reportedly sitting at around five years and $175 million (A$242m) – approximately $35m per season.
“The Pistons are offering a five-year deal that would pay Duren in the range of $35 million annually,” MacMahon reported.
“Duren is requesting a deal with an average salary in excess of $40 million.”
ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel has similarly reported Detroit wants to retain the 22-year-old, but the two sides remain apart on his value.
Detroit reportedly wants to retain Jalen Duren on a deal worth around $35m annually, but the rising star is pushing for more than $40m per season.Source: AP
“[The Pistons] want to bring Jalen Duren back and they want to do it on their terms, on a contract somewhere in the $30-35 million range,” Siegel said on Clutch Scoops.
“Jalen Duren wants more. He wants something north of $40 million annually.”
Should the two sides fail to find common ground, however, rival teams are already emerging as potential threats.
CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn identified the Los Angeles Clippers as a “very obvious” fit to potentially overpay for Duren in 2027 free agency if Detroit is unable to secure him long-term.
Sacramento could also loom as a major player.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater suggested the Kings could create maximum salary cap space next summer and make another run at Duren should he eventually take his qualifying offer and reach unrestricted free agency.
“If you are Jalen Duren and his representatives, I would look at the Sacramento Kings and know they can get up to max cap space next summer,” Slater said on The Hoop Collective.
Jalen Duren’s contract situation could attract rival interest should the Pistons fail to lock down the 22-year-old long-term.Source: AP
“Zach LaVine’s coming off the books. Scott Perry is completely turning the franchise over, and I will tell you, he has Jalen Duren’s name with highlighter pen, looking at next year’s potential free agency if Duren were willing to take the QO.”
It leaves Detroit with a significant decision over one of the centrepieces of its young core – bridge a gap potentially worth more than $25 million across a five-year deal, or risk opening the door for rival franchises to make their move.
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CURRY BREAKS SILENCE ON $190M CONTRACT CALL
Stephen Curry has made his intentions clear amid uncertainty surrounding his contract future with the Golden State Warriors, declaring he wants to remain with the franchise for the rest of his career.
Curry is under contract through the 2026-27 season for $62.6 million, but is now eligible to sign a two-year extension worth up to $136.7m (A$190m).
Despite no new deal being agreed, the 38-year-old remains confident his future will eventually be sorted.
Stephen Curry has reiterated his desire to finish his career with Golden State as uncertainty surrounds his next contract.Source: AP
“There’s no question I want to be here the rest of my career, and I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen,” Curry told NBC Sports Bay Area.
“The deal and the contract stuff will happen at the right time, and we’re not letting it be a distraction from our preparation for the season.”
Curry’s age adds another layer to negotiations, with the NBA’s Over-38 Rule preventing the Warriors from offering him an extension longer than two years.
That leaves a two-year, $136.7m extension as the maximum deal currently available to the four-time NBA champion.
Curry, however, appears in no rush to put pen to paper as he prepares for his 18th NBA season.
“The goal stays the same,” Curry said.
“Extension stuff, we’ll figure that out at the right time. But I’m ready for Year 18. It’s kind of crazy that it’s been this long, and I’m still trying to play at a very high level to help us win, and I’ll be able to do my job.”
Curry’s comments come after a disappointing season for Golden State, with injuries contributing to a 37-45 record and an early exit from the play-in tournament.
The superstar guard missed more than two months with what he described as a case of “runner’s knee”, with the issue now reportedly generating some concern within the Warriors entering the new campaign.
Stephen Curry is eligible for a two-year extension worth up to $136.7m as he prepares for his 18th NBA season.Source: AP
Golden State has reportedly been monitoring Curry’s knee since last season and expects it will need to be “managed” throughout the 2026-27 campaign.
It adds another layer of intrigue surrounding the 38-year-old entering Year 18, with the Warriors balancing Curry’s workload and health while attempting to return to contention and potentially committing another $136.7m to their franchise superstar.
ROCKETS LOCK UP RISING STAR IN $208M MEGA DEAL
The Houston Rockets have locked up another major piece of their future, agreeing to a five-year, $208 million (A$288m) rookie-scale extension with rising star Amen Thompson.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the new deal also includes a 10 per cent trade kicker, further underlining Houston’s enormous commitment to the 23-year-old.
Selected with the No.4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Thompson has quickly developed into one of the league’s most exciting young two-way players.
Amen Thompson has secured his future in Houston after agreeing to a monster five-year, $208 million extension with the Rockets.Source: AP
The versatile Rockets star enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, averaging career highs of 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Thompson also led the NBA in total minutes played, ranked eighth in total steals and fourth in loose ball recoveries.
His ability to impact games across multiple positions has made him a central piece of Houston’s long-term plans, with the Rockets now committing more than $200m to ensure he remains one of the foundations of their young core.
The extension keeps Thompson under contract in Houston through the 2031-32 season.
7-FOOT-6 FAN FAVOURITE MAKES STUNNING NBA RETURN
Tacko Fall is officially back in the NBA.
The Philadelphia 76ers announced the signing of the 7-foot-6 fan favourite, marking Fall’s return to the league for the first time since 2022.
Fall, 30, has spent recent years playing overseas and had been with the Ningbo Rockets in China since 2025 before earning another opportunity in the NBA.
The move also reunites Fall with former Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia, with the towering centre expressing his excitement at linking up with Brown once again.
Fan favourite Tacko Fall is back in the NBA after signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.Source: AFP
Fall originally entered the NBA with Boston in 2019 and quickly became one of the league’s most recognisable cult figures because of his extraordinary size.
He later played for Cleveland before leaving the NBA in 2022 and continuing his career overseas.
Now, four years later, Fall has another opportunity to revive his NBA career in Philadelphia.