Jalen Duren is staying in Detroit.
The Detroit Pistons center has agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday night, citing Duren’s agent, Chafie Fields of THE·TEAM.
The agreement ends a prolonged restricted free agency dispute and gives Detroit a resolution after negotiations stretched into training camp.
Duren chooses a long-term agreement
The reported contract averages $40 million per season over five years. The annual salary breakdown has not been detailed in Charania’s announcement.
Duren had entered Thursday facing a decision on Detroit’s one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer. Accepting would have put him on a shorter contract with another free agency decision ahead.
Instead, Duren and Detroit have agreed on a five-year commitment. Charania’s report describes an agreement to sign, rather than an announcement of a completed signing.
The dispute extended into training camp
The negotiations had already affected Detroit’s preparations. Duren missed media day and the start of training camp while the sides remained apart.
Earlier reporting described Detroit’s offer at the same five-year, $200 million figure. Duren had sought compensation closer to his maximum eligibility.
Thursday’s agreement settles the contract question. His reporting date and practice availability are separate details to follow as Detroit brings him back into its preseason preparations.
Detroit retains its All-NBA center
Duren, 22, averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds last season, earning his first All-Star selection and All-NBA Third Team honors.
Those results explain the importance of retaining him. Detroit has committed substantial money to a young center already producing at an All-NBA level, with expectations for continued improvement.
For J.B. Bickerstaff, the next task is getting Duren back into the team’s work. For Duren, the focus shifts from negotiations to preparing for the season with his future in Detroit settled.