DETROIT — Jalen Duren is expected to skip the Detroit Pistons' media day on Monday as his restricted free agency stalemate continues, with a Thursday deadline looming to decide on a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer or a long-term extension. Duren, who is eligible for a five-year, $287 million contract after making an All-NBA team, remains unsigned as Detroit's most recent five-year, $200 million proposal has failed to gain traction.
That offer included no team or player options and weight stipulations that Duren and his representatives did not receive well, according to sources. As of Sunday evening, sources told The Athletic neither side had moved, and while the Pistons can extend the qualifying offer deadline unilaterally, it is unclear if they plan to do so. Sources said the perceived disrespect in how Detroit has handled the process is a significant factor in Duren's stance.
Duren has been away from Detroit for most of the offseason and missed multiple team summer activities, though sources said he considered visiting the facility to support his teammates. He averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and two assists as the Pistons went 60-22, then averaged 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14 playoff games when Detroit lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the second round.
The Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams with serious interest, sources said, but Detroit has refused for months to discuss a sign-and-trade involving Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner. Duren believes he could land a maximum contract next summer, which would cover four seasons if he signs with a rival team, and maintains he can make up the money lost this coming season by signing the qualifying offer over the next five seasons.