If Jalen Duren won’t take Pistons’ $200 million offer, then it’s time for them to consider a trade

The Detroit Pistons, according to multiple reports on Monday, crossed an important threshold in their negotiations with restricted free agent Jalen Duren. Their offer, which had previously been in the $190 million range over five years, has been bumped up to $200 million. This is critical because, at least based on current cap projections, it means the Pistons are now offering to pay him more now than he could ultimately make next summer by leaving in free agency.

As it stands, Duren has a $9.6 million qualifying offer from the Pistons. That deal would make him an unrestricted free agent next season. Based on the estimated $176 million cap for the 2027-28 season, the 25% max contract Duren would be eligible for would pay him $189.2 million over four years.

Essentially, that means that the most Duren stands to make over the next five seasons if he plans to leave the Pistons as a free agent next summer would be roughly $198.8 million… less than the $200 million the Pistons have currently put on the table. Duren is the rare player for whom a max contract would not actually represent his maximum possible earnings.

This doesn't exactly mean Duren has…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/