Pistons president Trajan Langdon is optimistic about signing restricted free agent Jalen Duren and rookie scale eligible Ausar Thompson to long-term contracts this offseason. Duren, who had a standout regular season averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, faced challenges during the postseason, leading to questions about his future. Meanwhile, Langdon emphasized the need for a balanced approach to team building, focusing not just on immediate success but sustainable competitiveness. He acknowledged the team needs to bolster its offense but refrained from promising any major trades.

By the Numbers
  • Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game during the regular season.
  • In 14 postseason games, Duren averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game.
State of Play
  • Langdon is weighing options to extend Duren and Thompson while upgrading the offense.
  • The Pistons need a secondary scorer to support franchise player Cade Cunningham.
What's Next

Negotiations for Duren and Thompson's contracts are expected to commence shortly as Langdon seeks to maintain a strong roster while addressing offensive gaps. Future decisions will hinge on balancing team spending with the need for additional talent.

Bottom Line

Pistons management aims to cultivate a winning culture while strategically managing contracts, underscoring the importance of patience and sustainable growth for the team's future success.