Jalen Duren, Ivey, Braun Reportedly Unlikely to Get New Contracts Before Becoming RFAs

Three NBA players—Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons, and Christian Braun of the Denver Nuggets—are unlikely to receive contract extensions before the Monday deadline at 6 p.m. ET for rookie-scale deals, meaning they will enter next summer as restricted free agents, according to a report by Jake Fischer.

For the Pistons, negotiations for Duren and Ivey have stalled. Ivey recently underwent knee surgery to address discomfort, which, while not requiring a long recovery, complicates talks, though his camp expects strong interest in free agency. Duren, a key starter, has seen tepid discussions with the team, with his representatives seeking over $30 million annually, anticipating robust market demand if he becomes a free agent. The Pistons may prefer to delay extensions to maintain salary cap flexibility next summer.

Regarding the Nuggets, Christian Braun had a breakout season and is a crucial player, but Denver has signaled reluctance to become a taxpayer next season, making an extension challenging. Braun is reportedly seeking a deal averaging $25 million annually, and the team's financial constraints could hinder an agreement, despite his value and the difficulty of replacing him.

If no extensions are finalized by the deadline, all three players will play the upcoming season on the final year of their rookie contracts, setting the stage for potential restricted free agency in 2025.