Turning to Pistons‘ contractual confrontation with Jalen Duren for the first time at Monday’s media day, president of basketball operations Troyan Langdon noted that despite the fact that the situation is resolved, he expects the young center to be on Detroit’s roster in the 2026/27 season. Langdon also hinted that the team has no plans to push back the Oct. 1 deadline for Duren to accept his qualifying offer.
“He has until Thursday to make a decision and we will be happy to have him involved regardless of what decision he makes.” Langdon said, trans By Amari Sankoff II of The Detroit Free Press. “He’s been a huge reason for our success the last two seasons. He had a great season last year as well. We believe he’ll do the same next year and we’re excited to have him back when he does. We’re integrating him and he’s going to have a fantastic season regardless of his decision. We’re looking forward to having him back.
“… Regardless of his decision, we can control how we welcome him when he makes that decision. He’s going to be a big part of the team no matter what decision he makes. He’s going to be a Detroit Piston, and we’re going to do everything we can to support him and get him the best version of him, which we’ve done the last two years, and that’s not going to change. Those are things we can control. We can’t control this decision.”
Langdon has dealt exclusively with Duren’s agents this offseason as the two sides try to negotiate a long-term contract for the NBA big man — he said Monday that he hasn’t spoken to Duren directly at all.
Those negotiations dragged on for more than three months and were very public, with multiple reports claiming the 22-year-old felt disrespected by the way the Pistons were handling his contract negotiations. Langdon downplayed those rumors on Monday.
“I will not let anyone’s feelings get in the way of the decisions I make professionally.” Langdon said, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. “It has nothing to do with it. The reports that are out there make no sense to me.”
The last ones reports suggested that some of the offers the Pistons put on Duren’s table this offseason included incentives related to his weight. Langdon, who previously worked in Pelicansfront office, participated in negotiations on similar terms in Zion WilliamsonA max salary contract with New Orleans. Interestingly, Langdon appears to have mentioned Williamson when asked if this is the first time he has had to deal with a disgruntled player as an executive.
“This is the first time I have to deal with it here” Langdon said (Link to video on Twitter). “I was in New Orleans for five years with a certain player who wasn’t easy to deal with either. So I have experience with that.”
We’ve got more on the Pistons:
- The Pistons have made it clear throughout the offseason that they have no interest in trading Duren, but for what it’s worth, Mark J. ESPN’s Spears (Link to video on Twitter) added two new potential suitors to the list of teams that would be interested in a sign-and-trade discussion for the big man. Speaking on NBA Today on Monday, Spears said that in addition to Sacramento and Milwaukee, Hawks and Wizards these are the teams interested in Duren.
- Veterans wing Kevin Huerterwho re-signed with the Pistons this offseason, told reporters Monday that he injured his groin while in Chicago and aggravated it in the playoffs last spring. Sankoff’s tweets. Huerter underwent surgery after being traded to Detroit to repair the injury, but says he is now healthy.
- Ausar Thompson expressed excitement about signing a five-year, $155 million extension with Detroit, adding that he is in the best shape of his career and growing more confident in his pitching (Twitter references via Sankofa). “There are days when I can be bored,” Thompson said. “But the most important thing is when I miss … it’s the attitude you take the next shot with.”
- Star Pistons guard Cade Cunningham expressed enthusiasm about the 3-point shooters the front office added to the roster over the summer. “More room to kill someone” Cunningham said, trans Langlois. “Or hit someone and help has to come from afar. All of these things can create advantages.”
- Pistons new one-year, $3.9 million deal Javonte Green has been somewhat overlooked this offseason, but the veteran swingman appeared in all 82 regular-season games last season and averaged more than 17 minutes a night. He’s also very excited to be back in Detroit, he told reporters Monday. “When you came here, when you walked into the locker room, everyone welcomed you with open arms and made you feel at home.” Green said (Link to Twitter via Sankofa). “It didn’t take long for me to discover my energy and personality because it felt like I was meant to be here.”
