Draymond Green praises Jalen Duren after Pistons finalize $200 million deal

The Golden State veteran used his podcast to congratulate the Detroit center on a fully guaranteed five-year deal that ranks him among the NBA's top-paid big men.

A drawn-out negotiation has reached its conclusion in Detroit. Center Jalen Duren and the Pistons have settled on a five-year, $200 million agreement that keeps him with the franchise, closing a process that unfolded over several months of talks.

Reaction arrived from an opposing sideline. Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, a four-time NBA champion, addressed the agreement on the newest installment of his Draymond Green Show podcast. Though he and Duren face each other only as opponents, Green left no doubt about his feelings on the center's new contract.

Green laid out the terms plainly on the episode. "It is officially over. The Pistons and Jalen Duren have agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to return to the Detroit Pistons. There's no options, there's no bonuses included in the deal," Green said.

He then offered his congratulations directly to the player. "Number one, congrats to the young fella, Jalen Duren, getting his bag, putting himself in a position to have him and his family set for the rest of his life. Always love seeing guys get paid," Green continued.

Beyond its total value, the structure of the deal stands out. Every dollar is guaranteed, and the contract includes no options and no bonuses, according to the terms Green described. That guaranteed money places Duren among the ten highest-paid centers in the NBA on an annual basis.

Duren built the case for that investment during the 2025-26 season. At 22 years old, he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, the strongest statistical output of his career. The completed agreement extends the partnership between the center and the franchise for the long term.

The path to a signature was far from smooth. Duren had qualified for a five-year maximum contract worth $287 million, but a postseason showing that fell short of expectations led the Pistons to open their offer well below that ceiling. Closing the gap required extended negotiations before both sides settled on the final $200 million figure.

Green handled his own business earlier in the offseason, signing a one-year, $27.7 million extension that carries him through the 2026-27 season. The short length gives Golden State financial flexibility in the years ahead while extending the veteran forward's run with the only NBA franchise he has ever played for.

With their contract matters resolved, both Green and Duren can shift their focus fully to basketball. For Duren, the agreement brings certainty after months of negotiation. His next appearance is set for Little Caesars Arena, where the Pistons host the Phoenix Suns on Monday, October 5 at 7:00 PM EDT.