A new report suggests the Detroit Pistons are actually hoping big man Jalen Duren won't earn All-NBA honors this season.
On Tuesday night, the Pistons begin their semifinal series against division rivals the Cleveland Cavaliers. It's the latest step in the franchise's most productive season since going to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.
Without a doubt, top star Cade Cunningham has played a vital role in the Pistons' success this season. But second on the list of credits is center Jalen Duren. The 2022 first-round pick had a breakout season in 2025-26. Leading the team in rebounds (10.5) and second in points (19.5). His emergence as an All-Star is why they are the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Plus, his big season comes at the perfect time for him. He is in the final year of his contract and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. The expectation for several months has been that the Pistons will match whatever offer they receive. However, the franchise has always been on the conservative side when it comes to spending. And when it comes to Duran there's one place they're not willing to go.
Detroit Pistons won't pay Jalen Duren supermax
In a new report from ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the pair of NBA insiders revealed, "If Duran is selected to the All-NBA team, he would become Supermax-eligible, which is an area the Pistons cannot venture into." Cunningham is already playing on a supermax deal that will pay him an average of $55 million per year.
That doesn't mean the Pistons aren't willing to pay that type of money to two players. It's probably more that they don't want to pay Duran that kind of money, and they shouldn't after a subpar performance in the opening round series against the Orlando Magic.
So what might be a good middle ground for both sides? A Western executive told Bontemps and Windhorst that a deal in the mid-$30 million per year is what Duren could get after a career year this season.
