Duran re-signs with Pistons for five years, US$200 million, head coach refutes rumors

Duran (right) renewed his contract with the Pistons, and the head coach (left) came forward to help him refute the rumors. (File photo, AFP)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] After a whole summer of negotiations, Pistons star center Jalen Duren finally agreed to return on a five-year, $200 million contract. However, there are doubts about whether Duren is serious about returning to the Pistons. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff specifically came out to refute the rumors.

After Duran confirmed the signing, head coach Bickerstaff was interviewed. He believed that there was no rift between the team and Duran due to long-term negotiations, and he did not think that Duran was not sincerely willing to sign.

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"The most important thing is that Duran is back with us. I know Duran wants to come back." Bickerstaff said that there are a lot of rumors out there, and they know which ones are true. He believes that these are all negotiations. In the end, both parties overcame it, and always believed that Duran would return to the Pistons.

Duran became a restricted free agent this summer, and then began a long-term relationship with the Pistons. The average annual salary increased from about US$30 million to the current US$40 million. At one point, it was revealed that the Pistons had an additional "weight clause", which made Duran feel disrespected. In the end, the Pistons gave in and offered full guarantees, and Duran also nodded to sign before the deadline.

Last season, Duran posted star-level statistics of 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. However, his tricks in the playoffs became a major obstacle in contract renewal negotiations. "ESPN" reported that if Duran chooses not to renew his contract and chooses QO, he will become the first player in history to be selected for the All-Star Game or to be selected for the annual lineup but choose QO.