According to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday, Pistons All-Star center Jalen Duren will not be attending the team’s media day or the opening of training camp due to the ongoing contract dispute.
Ahead of the Thursday deadline on a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer, Duren, a restricted free agent, is turning down the team’s five-year, $200 million fully guarantyd offer, according to sources.
The Pistons have been informed by Duren’s agents that the money is no longer the reason for the deadlock.
According to reports, Duren feels disrespected by the procedure, especially in light of how the organization handled forward Ausar Thompson’s contract extension.
The Pistons think they’ve given Duren a reasonable offer, which is more than he would accept under the qualifying offer that would allow him to become an unrestricted free agency in the upcoming offseason. However, compared to what the Pistons are proposing, Duren would be leaving at least $190 million in guarantyd money on the table and would require a maximum deal next summer to break even over the five years.
After averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.8 blocks on 65.0% shooting in 28.2 minutes per game during his greatest season, Duren, 22, was selected to the All-NBA third team.
