![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/duren-iso-meta-022726-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Jalen Duren is likely amped to finally take the court after negotiating a fresh deal with the Pistons.<\/p>\n
DETROIT (AP) \u2014 The lengthy negotiations<\/a> between the Detroit Pistons and star center Jalen Duren didn\u2019t leave any lingering animosity, at least not in the mind of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.<\/p>\n Duren, an All-NBA Third Team selection last season, agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract<\/a> on Thursday. There were reports during the offseason that the restricted free agent sought sign-and-trade options and even felt disrespected by the front office.<\/p>\n Duren, who was not made available to the media, underwent a physical and other testing on Friday and is expected to start practicing as early as this weekend. Bickerstaff brushed aside any suggestion that Duren might not be fully invested in rejoining the team.<\/p>\n Duren ultimately accepts the standing Pistons proposal ahead of the 11:59 pm ET deadline on a one-year, $9.6M qualifying offer. Detroit placed the $200M guaranteed offer two weeks ago after offers ranging from $170M to $190M throughout the summer. There were fractures built\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/UHMKBeEVvG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe most important thing for us was having JD back with us and I know JD wanted to be back,\u201d Bickerstaff said. \u201cAll that stuff that was floating (around), we know what\u2019s real. It\u2019s a negotiating process and we went through the process and we knew he\u2019d be back.\u201d<\/p>\n Duren had little leverage, other than to sign a $9.6 million qualifying offer \u2014 which expired on Thursday night \u2014 and become an unrestricted free agent after this season. President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon repeatedly stated he had no interest in dealing his starting center.<\/p>\n Duren was eligible for a five-year contract worth up to $287 million but the fully guaranteed deal will still make him one of the top 10 centers in terms of annual salary.<\/p>\n Story here, with @HunterPatterson<\/a>, at @TheAthletic<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/8YdeFLlrcg<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/FqRsEUrh1C<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sam Amick (@sam_amick) October 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s never been any bitterness between the group and how we feel about him and I know how he feels about us,\u201d Bickerstaff said.<\/p>\n Duren averaged a career-high 19.5 points last season, along with 10.5 rebounds per game on 65% shooting. He struggled in the playoffs, averaging 10.2 points as the top-seeded Pistons failed to get out of the second round.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know how much he means to us and how important he\u2019s been for us the past couple of years and how important he\u2019ll be for us moving forward in the future,\u201d Bickerstaff said. \u201cThat\u2019s our guy. He\u2019s been our guy and we\u2019re happy to have him back.\u201d<\/p>\n Duren has ways to expand his game. He\u2019s not a perimeter threat or a prolific shotblocker (0.8 per game last season).<\/p>\n \u201cHe hasn\u2019t reached his ceiling, so there\u2019s no reason why we wouldn\u2019t expect him to take another step,\u201d Bickerstaff said. \u201cI know that\u2019s what he wants to do. He wants to continue to get better and reach greatness.\u201d<\/p>\n BREAKING: Restricted free agent center Jalen Duren has agreed to accept the five-year, $200M contract from the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com\/FLT32mWnGa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n