Jaylen Duren gets $40 million prediction as Pistons earn Thunder, Spurs comparison

As it is The Detroit Pistons (23–6) continue their torrid start to the 2025–26 NBA season.the league executives are already projecting a significant salary for the center Jalen Duren. Jake Fisher of The Stein Line reported this week that Duren’s emergence has positioned him to average at least $40 million in annual salary on his next contract, noting that Detroit’s rise has been partially overshadowed by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder (26–3) and San Antonio Spurs (21–7).

Fisher wrote that Detroit has remained patient in building the roster despite owning one of the best records in the Eastern Conference, shifting the league-wide focus to Duren’s upcoming restricted free agency.

“The Pistons have consistently sent messages that they don’t want to be aggressive in adding to their top roster in the East. The most popular topic in circulation regarding Detroit, then, has focused on how well the Pistons’ strong start and Jalen Duren’s strong emergence will combine to secure him as a restricted free agent this summer.

What once seemed a bit indulgent as a talking point now seems a bit plausible: Could Duren command a max contract?

“The Pistons are overshadowed by OKC and San Antonio, but they’re as primed to compete for the next five years as anybody,” one assistant general manager told me.

Locking up Duren in the offseason seems like a foregone conclusion. I think he tends to make at least $40 million in average annual value.

League executives project maximum payout for Jalen Duren as Pistons grow

Duren, 22, is enjoying a career season in his fourth year, anchoring Detroit’s interior on both ends of the floor. In 26 games, he is averaging 18.3 points, 11 rebounds, 1.7 assists and one block per game while shooting 63.1% from the field in 28.8 minutes per game. His efficiency and physical presence have been central to Detroit’s identity as one of the league’s most consistent teams.

Duren’s impact mirrored that of star backfield Cade Cunningham, who continues to build off of last season’s All-Star campaign. Cunningham is averaging 26.5 points, 9.2 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 45.7% from the field and 31.9% from three in 26 appearances.

Detroit will continue a five-game road trip Tuesday night when he faces the Sacramento Kings (7–22) at 10:00 PM ET. The Pistons enter the matchup looking for their third straight win after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 110–102 on Monday night.