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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 8m

Duren: "I want the city to know that I truly do believe in what we’re building. I truly do believe in the players and the organization and the players that we have. And I want y’all to believe in me and my work ethic and my ability to want to grow as a man and player."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 14m

Duren: "I never looked at it as a dreadful situation because people are going through way worse. We’re talking about negotiating a lot of money. There’s no way I could be upset with that ... I grew my knowledge of the business side of the game and it really benefitted me."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 1h

Duren's full opening statement. Main points: He believes lot of the rumors floating around misrepresent him, his feelings and the situation as a whole. He acknowledged his own flaws and affirmed his commitment to the team and city. "I’m happy and super ecstatic to be back."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 1h

Duren said he's excited about the team's offseason improvements. Also noted it was tough for him to see Stewart and Harris go. "Those guys have been like brothers to me and To was like a big brother to me … sad to see those guys go but happy we’re moving in the right direction."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 1h

Asked Duren what his main emotion is: "I would say relief and excitement, a lot of emotions. Just happy for my family. I’m the one who’s front line and everybody’s asking what’s this, what’s that, but my family hears it and goes through it too … I’m happy that’s over for them."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 1h

Duren: "Nothing came from me. Everything that was being heard was speculation ... That's part of the media’s job … I don’t fault anybody for that. I do know that a lot of the things were false and people believe things without it coming from the sources mouth."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 1h

Duren: "I am a Detroit Piston. I want to be a Detroit Piston for life. I want to give everything I’ve got to the Pistons and the fans."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 1h

Jalen Duren's here alongside Trajan Langdon. His agent, Chafie Fields, is also here. Duren started with a long, written statement accepting his own flaws while also acknowledging that a lot of the rumors about him this summer didn't come from him.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 2h

Jalen Duren’s press conference starts in 10 minutes. I’m told there’s no public livestream, so stay tuned for updates

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Pistons announce Jalen Duren’s contract extension. His introductory press conference is tomorrow, Oct. 4, at 1 pm. Trajan Langdon: “We’re excited to have Jalen in Detroit as a core piece of our team for years to come.”

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Pistons open practice is about to start at Wayne State Fieldhouse

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Certified Lover Boy would be rated higher by folks if the album cover weren’t trash. Still his best 2020s album

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Reposted by Omari Sankofa II

Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Wrote a column on why it's clear that business – not malice – was the motivation behind Jalen Duren's holdout and what he needs to do next. www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Wrote a column on why it's clear that business – not malice – was the motivation behind Jalen Duren's holdout and what he needs to do next. www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Been thinking about Mike Tomlin’s Minecraft city all week

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

JB on Duren: “We’re obviously excited to have him back. Like I said yesterday, our expectation was that he was always going to be back.” JB denied there’s been bitterness between the team and Duren. “I don’t know where that came from. It’s a negotiation. It’s business.”

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Even with the extension, Jalen Duren falls outside of the top-40 in annual NBA salary. By modern standards it's not an inflated contract based on what he's accomplished. Lot of folks around the league thought he'd end up in the five-year, $200 million range.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Jalen Duren had every right to maximize his leverage. It paid off. Now, it's on him to turn the page and hit the ground running with the Pistons www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Can confirm Jalen Duren has signed a fully-guaranteed five-year, $200 million extension with the Pistons. His restricted free agency comes to an end.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Jalen Duren has until midnight tonight to accept the qualifying offer. Regardless of his decision, the Pistons have expressed confidence they'll acclimate him quickly. "He’s going to be welcomed with open arms and his teammates will do the same." www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

Detroit Pistons ready to welcome Jalen Duren back – when deal is done

The Detroit Pistons have spent the opening days of training camp without talented big Jalen Duren, mired in a contract standoff.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

People will really send you the most disrespectful trade requests on fantasy lol

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

JB said the plan is for Ausar to play more next season. Averaged a career-high 26 minutes per game last year. "That’s the expectation. Because we ask him to do so much, how we manage those minutes might look different ... But I definitely see his minutes going above 26."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Asked JB how they’ve navigated Duren’s absence this week: “The most difficult part of our job is the business of basketball. It’s a part of it, and it is what it is. When JD comes back, he’ll be welcomed with open arms and his teammates will do the same.”

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yeah that's one aspect that's maybe been under-discussed. He'd be working off of a bigger annual value when negotiating his next deal, assuming he gets the max next year. And that's obviously a big if

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Kevin Huerter had moments with the Pistons before a groin injury forced him to miss most of the playoffs. Now back on a three-year deal, he's eager to show why he's one of their most complete offensive weapons. www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Tolu Smith said his biggest focus this offseason was physical conditioning. Also, he’s shooting free throws left-handed now. “I’m naturally a lefty. I write with my left hand. It was just a matter of time, I think.”

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Reposted by Omari Sankofa II

Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Pistons quickly pivoted to John Collins after Tobias Harris left in free agency. It's early, but everyone loves his fit. "I think he’ll be an organization-wide favorite. He just has a ton of positive energy when he walks in the building every day." www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

freep.com

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Talked to John Collins for the first time today. “I’ve been welcomed with open arms from top to bottom. The work here, it shows and we’ve got a group of young guys who are together.”

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

JB: “The foundation for us will always be our defense, so that’s priority No. 1.”

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Jalen Duren was the main topic at Pistons media day. But he was far from the only topic. Here are my other takeaways, including high expectations for Year 3 Ron Holland www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

Pistons takeaways from media day: Expectations high for Ron Holland

Jalen Duren’s ongoing restricted free agency standoff wasn't the only topic discussed at the Detroit Pistons’ media day on Monday, Sept. 28.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Trajan Langdon addressed the root of Jalen Duren standoff at media day: "Negotiation is negotiation, so that’s all that’s going on right now. I don’t hold anything against him or his group ... they’re trying to get their client paid the most money." www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

Pistons on standoff with Jalen Duren: 'Negotiation is negotiation'

There’s a good chance Jalen Duren won’t be in the building when training camp opens for the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

That’s all from Pistons media day. We’ll talk to John Collins for the first time during camp tomorrow

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Daniss Jenkins on his approach compared to this time last year: “The biggest difference is knowing that you’re going to play.” Said he focused on his shooting efficiency this offseason, specifically from 3 and at the rim.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Huerter: "Maybe my greatest skill is making the game easier for the other four guys on the court. On the offensive side of the ball it’s playing with great pace, sometimes without the ball and sometimes with the ball. I’m not a guy who needs a ton of dribbles to be effective."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Kevin Huerter said he worked on a lot of contested and movement shooting this offseason, and acknowledged the dip in his percentage the last couple seasons. “I think they worked, I feel good. We’ll know more here in the next couple of weeks.”

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Huerter said he had a groin injury during his time in Chicago that was re-aggravated in the playoffs against Orlando. After they were eliminated, he had surgery to clean up the injury. Said it was frustrating that it happened during the postseason, but he's healthy now.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Trajan Langdon immediately addressed the elephant in the room during Pistons media day. "We will be excited to have him in regardless of what decision he does make." www.freep.com/story/sports...

freep.com

Detroit Pistons welcoming Jalen Duren back 'regardless of his decision' with contract

One topic hung like a cloud over the Detroit Pistons' media day on Monday, Sept. 28 – Jalen Duren's ongoing restricted free agency standoff.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Paul Reed talks his breakout performance in the playoffs and how that motivated his offseason. “I’ve gotta do everything in my power to help us win, and I feel pretty powerful.”

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Ausar on rebuilding his jumper: "It’s a weird process because you don’t know how much it changes until you look at an old video. I’m confident shooting it now. There’s days where I may miss but the biggest thing is when I miss … it’s the mindset you go into the next shot with."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Javonte Green says it means a lot to him to be able to return. "Coming here, going into the locker room, everyone welcomed you with open arms and it felt like home. It didn't take long for me to bring my energy and personality out because it felt like I was supposed to be here.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Isaiah Joe talks about his excitement being in Detroit, which he calls a “sleeper spot” with good food and things to do. Asked him about sharing names with Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. He said everyone brings it up and tells him it means it’s meant to him to be here.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Cade speaks on Jalen Duren. Says he’s been in touch with him all summer and understands the contract negotiation side. Wasn’t disappointed Duren didn’t join the team in San Diego for workouts because they talked about it beforehand.

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Cade on if he's talked to Trajan Langdon about the team's moves during the offseason as the East's improved. "I've stayed out of his ear. I've let him do what he does, the same way he's let me do what I do. It's a trusting relationship and I let him do his job."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Holland on Cade: "We were in Colorado hiking. The altitude was pretty high. It was amazing out there. It was a mental game out there because we were walking but not breathing for real, it was hard to breathe. It will do a lot for us, we were able to connect and bond out there."

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Omari Sankofa II @omarisankofa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Ron Holland said he’s focused on shooting and handling the ball against pressure.

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