Photo: Peter Baba

Jalen Duren’s All-NBA breakthrough significantly changed his contract outlook, but his uneven playoff performance has created uncertainty around how much the Detroit Pistons are willing to invest. According to John Hollinger of The Athletic, cap-space teams including the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls are expected to monitor Duren closely if Detroit hesitates on a massive extension.

“I think we can all agree his spring was just a wee bit underwhelming,” Hollinger wrote on Tuesday, noting that Duren was outplayed by both Wendell Carter Jr. and Jarrett Allen during Detroit’s playoff run. The Pistons center saw his playoff PER drop to 13.8 after posting a 26.0 mark during the regular season, which ranked sixth in the NBA.

Duren’s postseason efficiency also declined sharply. After leading the league with a 68.8 true shooting percentage in the regular season, he finished the playoffs at 55.3 percent, while his box plus/minus fell to minus-1.7. Detroit’s lineup data also raised questions, as the Pistons often performed better with Duren off the floor during their playoff run.

The concerns came during a season in which Duren had built a strong case for a major payday. The 22-year-old earned his first All-Star selection and was named to the All-NBA Third Team after helping Detroit finish 60-22, the best record in the Eastern Conference.

That All-NBA recognition dramatically increased his extension ceiling. Duren became eligible for the highest designated rookie extension tier, which could reach approximately five years and $287 million. League executives previously expected him to command more than $30 million annually, but Hollinger suggested the playoff struggles could reduce the final number.

A deal in the range of five years and $200 million could become a realistic compromise, keeping Duren in Detroit through much of his prime while avoiding the full financial burden of a supermax-level commitment.

The Pistons still hold the advantage because Duren is a restricted free agent, meaning they can match outside offers. His combination of rebounding, rim protection and interior scoring helped anchor a Detroit team that returned to the top of the East after years of rebuilding.

However, Brooklyn and Chicago could create pressure if they believe Duren’s long-term ceiling remains worth the investment. The Nets finished 20-62 and the Bulls finished 31-51, leaving both teams searching for young cornerstone talent and possessing the type of cap flexibility that could make an aggressive offer possible.

Detroit’s decision is complicated further by Cade Cunningham’s emergence as an All-NBA First Team player, meaning the Pistons must consider how multiple large contracts will affect roster depth and future flexibility.

Duren’s age remains his biggest selling point. He is only 22, already an All-Star and coming off a 60-win season. The question for Detroit is whether his postseason struggles represent a temporary adjustment period or a warning sign before committing more than $200 million.