RealGM

So this is a divisive topic on the Pistons board right now, and I want to solicit opinions from the T&T Board.

Duren wasn’t extended. He’ll hit restricted free agency next summer. What might your team offer him, if anything, contract-wise?

I’m not trying to influence the outcome in any way, so I’m not posting stats or any anecdotal stuff. Just want opinions.

Not sure he is any better than what POR already has.

No offer.

Not a knock on Duren but already has rookie contract Cs.

JRoy wrote:Not sure he is any better than what POR already has.

No offer.

Not a knock on Duren but already has rookie contract Cs.

Yeah, I can add “if anything”. Definitely nothing from Portland with Clingan and Hansen.

Depending how things go with Ayton - I predict he'll be underwhelming - Lakers would have obvious interest in both him and Kessler as RFA's.

JB2 wrote:Depending how things go with Ayton - I predict he'll be underwhelming - Lakers would have obvious interest in both him and Kessler as RFA's.

What I’m looking for in this thread are numbers, because the debate is over what Duren is worth.

GS won't have money available and won't be a suiter.

In general I don't think Duren will get big money. He's a starter but he's not an elite defender and he's not an offensive creator. I'd expect around $20M/yr or do. Wouldn't be surprised if it gets up to $25M/yr but that feels high for his limitations.

Obviously his play this season will affect the offers next summer.

tmorgan wrote:

JB2 wrote:Depending how things go with Ayton - I predict he'll be underwhelming - Lakers would have obvious interest in both him and Kessler as RFA's.

What I’m looking for in this thread are numbers, because the debate is over what Duren is worth.

His worth to a team building a contending roster, is $18-20M. Welcome to the new CBA.

oldfishermen wrote:

tmorgan wrote:

JB2 wrote:Depending how things go with Ayton - I predict he'll be underwhelming - Lakers would have obvious interest in both him and Kessler as RFA's.

What I’m looking for in this thread are numbers, because the debate is over what Duren is worth.

His worth to a team building a contending roster, is $18-20M. Welcome to the new CBA.

You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know… but now I’ve gone and polluted the thread with my own opinion.

He reportedly wanted 30, we have a competent management team now, so nothing happened. We’ll see how the season plays out, but he’d have to do some near miraculous things to get an offer like that next summer. Of course, It only takes one crazy GM to make a stupid offer, so you never know.

tmorgan wrote:

oldfishermen wrote:

tmorgan wrote:
What I’m looking for in this thread are numbers, because the debate is over what Duren is worth.

His worth to a team building a contending roster, is $18-20M. Welcome to the new CBA.

You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know… but now I’ve gone and polluted the thread with my own opinion.

He reportedly wanted 30, we have a competent management team now, so nothing happened. We’ll see how the season plays out, but he’d have to do some near miraculous things to get an offer like that next summer. Of course, It only takes one crazy GM to make a stupid offer, so you never know.

He can play up to that contract I guess, if he wants it that badly. Currently even 25m/year might be an overpay but an overpay some team might be willing to make .

Devilanche wrote:

tmorgan wrote:

oldfishermen wrote:
His worth to a team building a contending roster, is $18-20M. Welcome to the new CBA.

You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know… but now I’ve gone and polluted the thread with my own opinion.

He reportedly wanted 30, we have a competent management team now, so nothing happened. We’ll see how the season plays out, but he’d have to do some near miraculous things to get an offer like that next summer. Of course, It only takes one crazy GM to make a stupid offer, so you never know.

He can play up to that contract I guess, if he wants it that badly. Currently even 25m/year might be an overpay but an overpay some team might be willing to make .

If you have to question whether a player “wants it”, it’s already a problem. And that’s a legit question about Duren at times.

I enjoy watching him play. He’s talented. But he’s not a smart basketball player, and I remain convinced that another athletic lob-catcher that perhaps doesn’t rebound as well but plays smarter defense would raise Detroit’s ceiling considerably.

Here’s hoping Duren blows the doors off and gets what he wants.

Nothing. Rim rollers are not scarce, and overpaying to get one in RFA is unwise.

tmorgan wrote:

Devilanche wrote:

tmorgan wrote:He reportedly wanted 30, we have a competent management team now, so nothing happened.

He can play up to that contract I guess, if he wants it that badly. Currently even 25m/year might be an overpay but an overpay some team might be willing to make .

I enjoy watching him play. He’s talented. But he’s not a smart basketball player, and I remain convinced that another athletic lob-catcher that perhaps doesn’t rebound as well but plays smarter defense would raise Detroit’s ceiling considerably.

Here’s hoping Duren blows the doors off and gets what he wants.

That paragraph couldn’t be more accurate. I’m not sure if he plays smart enough to be worth 30m . He’s definitely getting the production stats if he push for it but does he consistently do the stuff that will help you win (?)

Would a slightly/more than slightly worse off center be better for roster construction and reallocate the salary elsewhere?

He had some injuries so far and Detroit weren’t really competitive in his earlier seasons so the highlighted remain to be seen. For 30m of course.

Nothing because any reasonable offer will get matched.

The Hornets are the biggest threat here, or if Kessler gets a stupid offer, and the Jazz decide not to match, that's a possibility. If the Wizards decide to try to play two bigs as Sarr can shoot a bit, they'll make an offer. Depending on what happens with Reaves, the Lakers could also be a threat.

He should get $20M per. No more than $25M.

Don't see him getting more than 20M per honestly, not being a scorer nor a defender makes him too much of a question mark

I see him as a non-tax MLE guy. He’s young and solid, but bigs that aren’t elite rim protectors that can’t shoot are a dime a dozen. He hasn’t shown the shooting chops to have more upside in that regard, so even though he’s really young I don’t see loads of untapped potential.

As a Celtics fan, we have need of a big man, but won’t have any real cap space. Regardless, I don’t see Duren as enough of an upgrade over Queta to justify paying $15+M more for him next season.

Based on this year's contracts and extensions, the rate for a good but not all-star level young starter is in the $20-25M/yr range. If he signs an offer sheet at $20M, I think detroit matches that immediately, so that is likely the floor.

Of course, this was an off season where almost nobody had real cap space to spend. If charlotte plays well this year and starts thinking a rim running big would look awfully nice next to their young perimeter guys? They wouldn't be the first team to overpay a RFA just to keep the contract from being matched.

NGL I get Andre Drummond vibes from him. Super athlete, questionable motivation, great rim runner/lob finisher and rebounder but not as good a defender as you'd expect/hope given his size and athleticism and not a factor on offense outside of the paint.

gswhoops wrote:NGL I get Andre Drummond vibes from him. Super athlete, questionable motivation, great rim runner/lob finisher and rebounder but not as good a defender as you'd expect/hope given his size and athleticism and not a factor on offense outside of the paint.

Something a lot of people don't know about Andre Drummond is that, despite his size and athleticism, he was never a good finisher at the rim. If Duren can rebound AND finish, he'll already be a Drummond+.

hes not the style center the hornets are looking for, and certainly not for a big offer. dont see them even making a bid.

jbk1234 wrote:The Hornets are the biggest threat here, or if Kessler gets a stupid offer, and the Jazz decide not to match, that's a possibility. If the Wizards decide to try to play two bigs as Sarr can shoot a bit, they'll make an offer. Depending on what happens with Reaves, the Lakers could also be a threat.

He should get $20M per. No more than $25M.