Pistons rumors: John Hollinger offers intriguing Jalen Duren solution that could help with Ausar Thompson

Entering the final hour of the NBA offseason, the Detroit Pistons and Jalen Duren have yet to reach terms on a new deal, a situation that could be influenced by Ausar Thompson’s future with the team. For many, Thompson’s new deal will follow Duren’s expected extension.

Duren and the Pistons could agree on a deal that will get the All-Star center paid sooner rather than later, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger.

“One thing the Pistons can offer Duren, however, is a front-loaded deal where he gets his money sooner,” Hollinger said. “Detroit is in a great position to do that because it’s still $46 million below the tax line and has completed all of its other summer maneuvers, and it might actually prefer to do so anyway since Ausar Thompson’s extension is likely the next piece of business.”

The Pistons are focused on locking in Duren and Thompson to complement All-Star Cade Cunningham for the team’s future.

“I see two dominoes here. First, the Pistons need to know what Duren’s number will be on their books in 2028 and 2029 before they can finalize their cap planning and determine their best path for Thompson’s next deal,” Hollinger added. “Second, there is an important question of which player they value more, one that will play out rather publicly if Thompson inks an extension shortly after Duren’s deal is completed.”

The Pistons should look to strike a deal ahead of training camp.

Are Jalen Duren, Pistons close to reaching a new deal?

With Pistons’ Jalen Duren coming off an All-Star season, it’s unlikely he’ll take a one-year deal, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel noted. Pistons’ Duren is expeted to reach a deal at some point, as one Western Conference front-office member noted.

“You can’t take the qualifying offer coming off an All-Star season,” one Western Conference front-office member told ClutchPoints regarding Duren in early August. “It’s almost like a death sentence. Nobody will view you close to the player you think you are again. Giving up a nine-figure deal for the qualifying offer and risking getting hurt with no long-term security, especially as a center in today’s league, would be extremely reckless and foolish.”

The Pistons will look to build off of their 60-win regular season in 2025-26.

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