finance
Pistons and Jalen Duren Remain Unsigned Two Weeks Into Free Agency
More than two weeks into the 2026 NBA free-agency period, Jalen Duren remains unsigned with the Detroit Pistons. The team has rejected sign-and-trade scenarios and will match any offer sheet. Ausar Thompson's extension eligibility adds another layer to their offseason decisions.
Jul 18, 6:00 AM·1m read2 sources
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The Detroit Pistons and center Jalen Duren remain unsigned more than two weeks into the 2026 NBA free-agency period. A few days before free agency began, reports indicated Duren was underwhelmed by the team's initial restricted-free-agent offer and planned to explore sign-and-trade scenarios.
However, the Pistons have stated they are not interested in any sign-and-trade deals for Duren and will match any offer sheet he signs.
The franchise has offered what it believes is the most lucrative contract possible, though exact figures remain undisclosed. Duren's one-year qualifying offer is worth $9.6 million. With the Los Angeles Lakers completing a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler instead, Duren's leverage has diminished.
Ausar Thompson is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension from July 18, 2026, through the last day before the 2026-27 regular season begins in October. In mid-June 2026, Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon stated that extension negotiations with both Duren and Thompson had not been progressing.
Thompson earned first-team All-Defense honors and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting for the 2025-26 season.
Through three NBA seasons, Thompson has shot 51.5% from the field, with nearly 80% of attempts coming within 10 feet of the basket. He is a career 20.4% three-point shooter on low volume and a 60.0% free-throw shooter. Duren has not made a three-pointer in his NBA career.
During the 2025-26 regular season, the Pistons ranked ninth in offensive rating but 28th in made three-pointers per game. The NBA projects the 2027-28 salary cap at approximately $174 million. A contract starting at 12% of that cap would begin at roughly $20.9 million per year.
