“These negotiations, when they are ugly like this, can have long-lasting consequences.” ESPN NBA insider Tim MacMahon made that observation while discussing Jalen Duren’s contract standoff with the Detroit Pistons, highlighting just how tense the situation has become.
But while MacMahon’s comments raised concerns about Duren’s future in Detroit, a new update from another NBA insider has offered some hope for both sides.
Jake Fischer’s Recent Prediction Regarding Jalen Duren
During a recent Bleacher Report livestream, Fischer said he had spoken with someone familiar with the situation who still believes Duren is on track to land a four-year deal worth around $160 million.
Fischer added that Duren could be looking for money closer to what Walker Kessler received this summer rather than the figure attached to Mitchell Robinson’s contract.
“This time last year, I remember hearing how acrimonious it was between Josh Giddey and Chicago, and how Dyson Daniels and the Hawks were so far apart. Kuminga even gets a decent payday from Golden State. We still have about a month left for restricted free agents to come to terms with their incumbent teams.”
“I talked with someone today who still believes he’s on track for a four-year, $160 million deal. He’s clearly gonna want something closer to what Walker Kessler got than what Mitchell Robinson got. But when all things are said and done, and he makes life-changing money, I do see an opportunity for this to get mended,” Fischer said, as per Bleacher Report.
Back in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets used the 13th overall pick to select Duren, but they had no intention of keeping him. His rights were shipped out on draft night itself.
He first headed to the New York Knicks before being moved once more, this time to the Pistons. Once he arrived in Detroit, he signed his rookie deal and quickly took over as the team’s full-time starting center.
Last season, Duren averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and two assists a night while knocking down shots at 65% from the field. As per Spotrac, last season he earned just $6,483,144.
Duren’s camp reportedly has been seeking a massive five-year deal worth roughly $287 million, while Detroit has shown reluctance to go anywhere near that number. The Pistons appear to have concerns about whether Duren’s playoff performance justifies such a huge commitment.
In some ways, Duren’s situation is similar to what Jonathan Kuminga went through with the Golden State Warriors during the 2025 offseason.
Kuminga spent much of that summer in a difficult contract standoff with Golden State. He wanted more control over his future, including a player option, while the Warriors preferred a structure that gave the team an option.
Kuminga rejected an initial two-year, $45 million proposal and explored other possibilities before eventually agreeing to a two-year, $48.5 million deal in late September 2025. That agreement did not last long. In February 2026, the Warriors traded Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porziņģis.
For now, Fischer’s prediction gives Pistons fans a reason to believe the situation can still end with a long-term agreement.
A renowned NBA insider has offered a major update on Jalen Duren’s contract saga as the Pistons weigh a potential massive deal.
