Jalen Durenlong confrontation with Pistons will likely lead to an extension, but Brett Siegel of Clutch Points doesn’t expect him to stay in Detroit for the entirety of the new deal. Speaking recently on the Clutch Scoops Podcast (Link to YouTubehat tip to Heavy), Siegel suggested Duren is a strong candidate to be traded at some point, regardless of what amount he ends up signing.
Siegel says Duren and his camp don’t feel properly “appreciated” by the Pistons, citing reports that the organization believes Ausar Thompson as its second most important constituent part after Cade Cunningham. Siegel adds that there has been no recent change regarding the status of Duren’s negotiations with the team, and the Pistons remain not interested in a sign-and-trade.
Duren sought a new deal worth at least $40 million a year, but his negotiating power is limited by his limited free will. ESPN’s Tim McMahon informed last week, the Pistons’ latest offer is about $35 million a year.
Siegel also suggests that Amin Thompsonnew a five-year, $208 million extension with Houston may encourage Duren to demand at least that much, as he was an All-Star last season. Siegel believes Ausar Thompson will earn significantly less than his brother in his rookie scale expansion, likely an annual salary in the $25 million to $32 million range. He notes that the huge contracts for Duren and Thompson will put Detroit on the path to a second apron in the future.
There are more from the Central Division:
- Matas Bouzelis may be overlooked amid excitement over a first-round pick Caleb Wilson and a new head coach Tiago Splitterbut he is still on his way to becoming a star for Bykovnotices Joe Cawley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Cowley notes that Bouzelis is coming off a season in which he became the youngest player in history to make at least 170 three-pointers and 115 blocks, and he may be even better with Wilson and the recently acquired center Nick Claxton.
- Young center Kel’el Warewhich was part of the return from Miami to Janice Antecumba trade, will be the biggest X factor for Bucks, ESPN’s Zach Crum says the team’s offseason recap/early preview. Crum notes that Ware has not been able to earn a coach Erika Spoelstra trust for two years with the Heat, but he will have less competition for playing time in Milwaukee.
- After updating their list, the Bucks will have to decide whether to prioritize the development of young players such as Ryan Rollins and lottery selection Braden Burris or leaning on their veterans to make a run at the tournament in the playoffs, ESPN’s Jason Collier adds in the same piece. There is some experienced talent, but Collier says the team needs to determine its direction after parting ways with Antetokounmpo.
