The player Pistons could lose amid Jalen Duren drama

The Detroit Pistons are in sort of a tough spot heading into free agency, as reports have indicated that they are in legitimate danger of losing Jalen Duren. Duren hasn’t been very pleased with the contracts he’s received from the Pistons, as per reports, and it looks as though Duren isn’t going to be the only player Detroit could lose in free agency.

As per Sam Amick of The Athletic, Tobias Harris has already planned to meet with five teams, and the Pistons, as it stands, are facing stiff competition for the veteran forward’s signature. Harris has been a huge part of turning around the losing culture for Detroit, bringing some much-needed leadership and stability to a young team that’s still finding its footing.

Harris may not be a star player, but he is the kind of forward any team with contending aspirations would want on their team. He provides secondary shot-creation and shot-making, and at 6’8″, he is defensively versatile enough to fit in any lineup.

This past season, Harris averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds, and those numbers rose to 18.1 points and 7.2 boards in 14 playoff games in 2026. There is no doubting that he’s a big part of this Pistons lineup.

With the pressure being put upon Detroit by all the meetings Harris is going to be holding with other teams, the Pistons may end up having to outbid the opposition just to bring him back. That may not be something they’re inclined to do, as they are still figuring out the Duren situation before that gets out of hand.

Duren reportedly wants a sign and trade to the Sacramento Kings so he could maximize his earning potential, and after trading Isaiah Stewart, losing their starting center, the man who made it to the All-NBA Third Team, is not going to be an appealing situation for a Pistons team that won 60 games this past campaign.