Pistons, Jalen Duren contract talks have gotten ‘awfully nasty’

Things may be getting uncomfortable between Jalen Duren and the Pistons.

Actually, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, they already have.

Duren remains a restricted free agent with September approaching, and MacMahon said on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective that negotiations between the young center and Detroit have gotten “awfully nasty.”

That certainly doesn’t sound like two sides calmly working their way toward a happy ending.

MacMahon also raised the larger question of what the increasingly contentious negotiations could mean for Duren’s long-term future in Detroit, even if the sides eventually manage to reach an agreement.

It’s a fair question, particularly given some recent restricted-free-agent standoffs.

Last summer featured prolonged situations involving Cam Thomas, Quentin Grimes and Jonathan Kuminga. All three eventually wound up elsewhere.

This summer has produced its own drama, including Peyton Watson’s lengthy contract stalemate with Denver before the Nuggets ultimately sent him to Cleveland in a sign-and-trade.

Now Duren and the Pistons appear to be having problems of their own.

The difference is that Detroit presumably would prefer to keep Duren as part of a team that won 60 games last season and has emerged as one of the East’s legitimate contenders. He’s still young and has been an important piece of what the Pistons have built.

But restricted free agency can get personal when money, roles and perceived value enter the equation.

Maybe Detroit and Duren eventually find the number that makes everybody happy.

At the moment, though, “awfully nasty” doesn’t exactly sound like they’re close.