Langdon says Duren 'will be a Piston' amid contract standoff

Jalen Duren remains an unsigned restricted free agent as his contract dispute with Detroit drags on, having skipped media day amid reported frustration over a weight clause in a five-year, $200 million offer.

President Trajan Langdon declined to discuss negotiations directly but insisted Duren will be back with Detroit, whether on a long-term deal or a one-year qualifying offer. Langdon also said he has not spoken with Duren all summer and brushed off reports that Duren feels disrespected by the franchise.

The Lakers met with Duren early in free agency and reportedly viewed him as worth a max-level deal, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports Detroit was uninterested in a sign-and-trade at the time. Los Angeles instead traded for Walker Kessler on a four-year, $130 million deal, a cheaper move than pursuing Duren would have required.