Intern reporter Chen Yutang / Comprehensive Report

　　The Detroit Pistons have locked in star center Jalen Duren with a five-year, $200 million contract, and the salary details have now been officially disclosed. According to HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto, Duren will earn $40 million in the first year of the new deal, with the final year approaching $43 million. However, Duren's underwhelming playoff performance last season has raised questions about the max contract.

　　Per the report, Duren will make $40 million in the 2026-27 season, followed by a slight decrease before gradually increasing, reaching nearly $43 million in the 2030-31 season. The five-year deal places him among the highest-paid centers in the league, signaling the Pistons' commitment to building around him and Cade Cunningham for years to come.

　　The Pistons' willingness to offer such lucrative terms is closely tied to Duren's regular-season improvement last season. In 2025-26, he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, helping Detroit secure 60 wins while earning his first All-Star selection and a spot on the All-NBA Team.

　　However, Duren's playoff performance stood in stark contrast to his regular-season output. In the postseason, his scoring dropped to 10.2 points per game and his rebounds fell to 8.5, a 9.3-point decrease. According to ESPN research, that marks the largest scoring differential between regular season and playoffs among star players with at least 10 playoff games since 1969.

　　Such a dramatic drop-off has become the focal point in evaluating the contract. ESPN analyst Zach Kram gave the extension a B grade, noting that an average annual salary of $40 million appears to be an overpay, especially given that Duren's playoff performance has yet to match his regular-season level, exposing the Pistons to considerable risk.

　　Still, Kram emphasized that the deal isn't without positives. At just 22 years old, Duren has already shown All-NBA-level talent with room to grow. His playoff struggles come from a sample of only 14 games, which is insufficient to fully negate his strong regular-season showing over 70 games.

　　The Pistons' extension negotiations with Duren were reportedly tense, with an agreement reached just 90 minutes before the deadline. Had a deal not been struck, Duren could have accepted a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. By retaining the young center, Detroit avoids the risk of losing a core player down the line.