The gap appears to be closing between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons in contract negotiations. However, the sides are still apart on total salary and options in the contract.

Recent reporting was that Duren was seeking a deal worth more than $40 million per season, with the Pistons offering an average annual value of $35 million. Now, it seems that Detroit has upped their offer to $38 million per season on a five-year contract, but Duren's camp is still holding out for north of $40 million and at least $200 million in total value.

There is also a question about options in the deal. The presence of either a player option or team would change the desired salary on either Duren's or the Pistons' side.

The Sacramento Kings have made it known that they are interested in signing Duren away from Detroit. The Pistons have rebuffed any sign-and-trade interest with the Kings to this point. Sacramento is positioned to potentially have the cap space to pursue Duren next offseason, without the need for a sign-and-trade. This would involve Duren signing his $9.6 million qualifying offer for this season and becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027.