Detroit approaches camp with its starting center unsigned
Jalen Duren did not attend the Detroit Pistons’ Media Day on Monday, September 28, as his restricted free agency remained unresolved. ESPN reported that the center was also preparing to stay away from the start of training camp.
The immediate issue is a contract deadline. According to Field Level Media’s account of ESPN’s reporting, Duren has until October 1 to accept a one-year qualifying offer worth approximately $9.6 million. Taking that route would allow him to pursue unrestricted free agency next summer.
The same report said the 22-year-old had rejected a fully guaranteed five-year offer worth $200 million. Those figures describe reported negotiations rather than a signed agreement. Detroit and Duren had not announced a new contract in the reporting reviewed for this update.
Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds last season. His absence leaves a key part of Detroit’s preparation unsettled as teammates begin their work for 2026–27.
Media Day has now passed without his participation, moving the story beyond the earlier expectation that he might be absent. The next concrete checkpoint is the qualifying-offer deadline; a return to team activities depends on how the contract situation develops.