Duren leans toward taking Detroit's $9.6M qualifying offer

Marc Stein reports Jalen Duren is growing more willing to play out next season on his one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer rather than sign long-term with Detroit.

The Athletic's Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson report Detroit's latest extension offer sits around five years and $190 million, while Duren's camp has sought closer to $200 million, with talks described as noxious.

Taking the qualifying offer would make Duren an unrestricted free agent in 2027, giving him trade veto power but risking his value if he gets hurt or has a down year.

Amick and Patterson report three serious suitors exist for Duren, including Sacramento, which has already had a sign-and-trade inquiry rejected by Detroit.

A deal could still come together before the end of the month, and Yahoo Sports suggests Duren's stance may simply be a leverage play rather than a firm decision.