LAS VEGAS — After nearly a week at the home of NBA Summer League, gathering intel, here’s what I’ve learned about the Detroit Pistons’ offseason and what could be coming next.The Pistons have made four trades so far this offseason, signed draft picks Ebuka Okorie and Ugonna Onyenso and re-signed Kevin Huerter and Javonte Green.Detroit has yet to sign restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren to a new contract and Ausar Thompson to a rookie-scale extension. Could a Pistons big-swing trade still be on the horizon? Here’s some clarity on those topics and more.Latest on the Jalen Duren negotiationsSince The Athletic reported on June 4 that Duren was “underwhelmed” with the Pistons’ initial offer, not much progress has been made.The biggest difference now is that Duren’s market is shrinking and further limiting his leverage in negotiations with Detroit. He met with both the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings before the Lakers signed center Walker Kessler, though neither exit strategy materialized.The Pistons would prefer to keep Duren rather than cooperate in a sign-and-trade (the Kings, for example, were known to be offering big man Domantas Sabonis).But a league source, granted anonymity to discuss negotiations still in progress, told The Athletic that signing Duren is Detroit’s No. 1 offseason priority and the team is confident it’ll come to an agreement with Duren. Both sides want to get a deal done that makes sense for everyone involved, the source said.Duren also has the option to accept the Pistons’ qualifying offer of $9.6 million and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. It’d be a risky option considering Duren can sign a longer, more lucrative deal that would offer insurance if he were to suffer an injury at any point during the season. All signs, as of now, point toward the stalemate ending with Duren returning.LeBron James to Philadelphia? Saquon Barkley makes his pitchZach BermanHow much of a priority is extending Thompson this offseason?Since Duren’s deal has to be finalized this offseason and Thompson will enter restricted free agency next summer, Duren’s deal takes priority. But once Duren’s contract is settled, the Pistons would like to sign Thompson to a long-term deal, as they see him as one of the franchise’s pillars.Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said publicly at his end-of-season news conference that they’ll be working to get deals finalized with both Duren and Thompson and understand it’ll be expensive.
Jalen Duren’s contract talks with Pistons, big swings and more: What I’m hearing
Here's the latest on the Pistons from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.









