This time a year ago the Golden State Warriors were still dealing with Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency, and now it's the Detroit Pistons who head into media day with a similar headache hanging over the franchise.
The Pistons and Jalen Duren remain at a stalemate in contract negotiations, but time is ticking until a decision as the young center has until Thursday to turn down a $200 million offer and incredibly sign the $9.6 million qualifying offer that would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next year.
Jalen Duren gives Pistons media day headache Warriors had last year
The qualifying offer had been a major threat from Kuminga last offseason, but when pushed came to shove it wasn't a path he was willing to take. The former seventh overall pick eventually signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract, ending a stalemate that had become quite public and which drew immense focus from around the league.
It clearly wasn't an ideal situation and one that offered unwanted distractions, having also prevented the likes of Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton from signing, speaking to the media, and getting acquainted with their new teammates on the court.
No such ramifications are taking place at the Pistons in terms of other players being directly impacted, but it's still an even bigger problem than what the Warriors faced with Kuminga 12 months ago.
Duren is not only Detroit's starting center, he's their second-best player coming off his first All-Star season that also yielded All-NBA Third Team honors. His importance to the Pistons far outweighs what Kuminga's importance to the Warriors was, even though the young forward did work his way into a starting role briefly after the contract dispute.
Warriors should keep an eye on Jalen Duren's free agency situation
As a team projected to have max cap space next year, and one whose long-term center situation isn't fully resolved despite the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis in February, Golden State should be keeping a keen eye on what happens with Duren over the next few days.
Given Kuminga wasn't willing to turn down nearly $50 million to take the qualifying offer, it's still difficult to envision Duren turning down $200 million to gamble on himself and take control of his own destiny.
Should the 22-year-old take that unlikely and controversial path though, it's one more player the Warriors could circle as a potential target heading into free agency next year.
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