Jalen Duren among is an All-NBA as Pistons face a crossroads: is he really worth $290 million?
Jalen Duren has become one of the biggest decisions facing the Detroit Pistons: between his growth and new All-NBA status, a nearly $290 million extension is now on the table
The latest All-NBA Team selections delivered a major milestone for the Detroit Pistons, validating the franchise’s strong 2025-26 season despite its second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While Cade Cunningham deservedly earned a spot on the First Team, another key member of Detroit’s core joined the league’s elite: his pick-and-roll partner Jalen Duren, who was named to the Third Team All-NBA.
Under coach JB Bickerstaff, the Pistons center took a massive leap, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Duren’s struggles in the postseason do little to diminish the impact he had on Detroit’s run to 60 regular-season wins.
That recognition, however, now creates a real front-office dilemma for the Pistons. By making an All-NBA Team (in a season that also sparked debate over snubs, including Jaylen Brown), Duren officially became eligible for a supermax extension. According to Spotrac expert Keith Smith’s projections, that could mean a five-year deal worth $287.1 million – approximately 30% of the salary cap.
Given Duren’s disappointing playoff showing, Detroit’s front office could understandably hesitate at committing that level of money. At the same time, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about a player who is still just 22 years old and has only experienced the postseason twice in his career.
According to Smith, the ideal middle ground for both the Pistons and Duren would be a deal worth around $185 million over five years – roughly $37 million annually. That could represent the right value for such a young center, one still improving and already capable of dominating during the regular season.
Resolving this contract situation will likely become Detroit’s top offseason priority before shifting focus back to finding reinforcements that can help the Cunningham-Duren duo take the next step in 2027.