Detroit Pistons

Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports Jalen Duren’s outside market is shrinking and Detroit remains confident a deal gets done — days after Chris Haynes said Duren is fed up and weighing the qualifying offer.

Jake Fischer says Detroit and Jalen Duren are getting close, with the Caris LeVert trade opening room for the 25% max Duren wants — about $41.24 million a year — even as an Athletic report downplays the progress.

Days after a six-team trade reshaped Detroit’s salary sheet, the Pistons and restricted free agent Jalen Duren are closing in on the long-term deal that stalled a week ago, per Jake Fischer.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports there is “no market” for Jalen Duren days into restricted free agency, with Detroit refusing sign-and-trade talks and prepared to match any offer sheet. The Pistons’ patience is winning.

Jalen Duren’s camp views him as a max player; Detroit reportedly prefers to stay around $35 million annually. With no rival team holding cap space, the Pistons have the leverage — and the young core’s biggest bill is coming due.