As another week ends, Jalen Duren has yet to reach an agreement with the Detroit Pistons over a contract extension ahead of the upcoming season. After Ausar Thompson agreed to a five-year extension with the Pistons on Friday, ironing out Duren's long-term future in Detroit could be even trickier.

With a $9.6 million qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season on the table, Duren reportedly expected to accept it, which could spell the end of his tenure with the Pistons in 2027, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

“If he makes the unprecedented decision to play for the qualifying offer, which has never happened for a guy of this status, and for a guy that would be leaving this kind of money on the table, that is an absolute disaster for Detroit,” McMenamin said. “The only way you take that is to leave.”

With Jalen Duren potentially entering his last season with the Pistons to become an unrestricted free agent, ESPN's Brian Windhorst agreed with McMenamin's take, per The Hoop Collective podcast.

“If he signs for the qualifying offer, he's gone,” Windhorst said. “And not only that, you now are going to have a player that's playing on the qualifying offer, and is going to make decisions based on that.”

Making matters worst for the Pistons, Duren's availability will undoubtedly change upon entering a contract year.

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“Every time there's a bump or a bruise, he's going to err on the side of caution,” McMenamin added. “You don't even get him this year. You get a shell of him this year.”

After watching the Los Angeles Lakers agree to a four-year, $129.5 million in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz for Walker Kessler, it could have played a part in Duren seeking a five-year max deal, worth approximately $287 million.

“You don't find players like this with this size in their 20s,” Windhorst added. “This is why the Lakers paid so much for Walker Kessler. You can debate about whether or not that trade was worth it. But the reason Walker Kessler was able to drive that value is you just can't get your hands on players like this in their early 20s. It's just hard.”

Duren psoted a career-best 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 2025-26, earning his first All-Star selection, and an All-NBA Third Team nod.