The Detroit Pistons have issued a $9,615,393 qualifying offer to center Jalen Duren, formally designating the 22-year-old as a restricted free agent for the upcoming offseason.
The procedural move gives Detroit the right to match any contract Duren may receive once free agency opens on June 30. Re-signing the third-year big man is considered a top priority for the club, though the total value of his next deal remains uncertain. Under league rules, Duren can command up to 30 percent of the salary cap.
Duren is coming off a standout regular season in which he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds over 70 games while shooting 65 percent from the field. The performance earned him his first All-Star selection, a spot on the All-NBA Third Team and votes in the Defensive Player of the Year race.
His production dipped in the postseason, dropping to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds through two seven-game series against the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. Struggles against Cleveland prompted Detroit to lean on veteran Paul Reed for extended minutes.
President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said last week that retaining Duren is “a major goal,” though he acknowledged that no traction had been made on a new contract. The Pistons hold exclusive negotiating rights until the market opens.
Should Duren test restricted free agency, league sources expect the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls to be among the teams preparing offers.
Source: Hoops Rumors
