Hunter Patterson
@hunterpatterson.bsky.social
Covering the Detroit Pistons for The Athletic.
How impactful can John Collins be for the Pistons this season? I wrote about his offensive versatility and how it should help Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
Is John Collins the missing piece for this Pistons roster?
www.nytimes.com
October 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM
How impactful can John Collins be for the Pistons this season? I wrote about his offensive versatility and how it should help Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
Here’s more from Jalen Duren’s first availability since inking a five-year, $200 million deal:
“I want to be a Detroit Piston for life.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/766...
“I want to be a Detroit Piston for life.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/766...
Jalen Duren says he wants to be a Piston for life after signing $200 million deal (Gift Article)
Duren addressed his contract saga, playoff shortcomings and commitment to the Pistons on Sunday.
www.nytimes.com
October 4, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Here’s more from Jalen Duren’s first availability since inking a five-year, $200 million deal:
“I want to be a Detroit Piston for life.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/766...
“I want to be a Detroit Piston for life.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/766...
Detroit's offseason could have gone very differently. Jalen Duren's contract negotiations dragged on until the final hours, putting the Pistons' future in a precarious position.
Here's why the $200 million deal matters:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
Here's why the $200 million deal matters:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
Jalen Duren, Pistons needed to stay together, even if they didn't act like it
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Detroit's offseason could have gone very differently. Jalen Duren's contract negotiations dragged on until the final hours, putting the Pistons' future in a precarious position.
Here's why the $200 million deal matters:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
Here's why the $200 million deal matters:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
Can confirm, per a league source, Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, $200 million deal to stay with the Pistons and ends the stalemate.
Here’s more on how this all came together and what could be next, with @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
Here’s more on how this all came together and what could be next, with @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
Jalen Duren, Pistons agree to 5-year, $200M deal ending arduous offseason saga: Source
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Can confirm, per a league source, Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, $200 million deal to stay with the Pistons and ends the stalemate.
Here’s more on how this all came together and what could be next, with @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
Here’s more on how this all came together and what could be next, with @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
The weight clause in the Pistons’ five-year, $200 million offer to Jalen Duren has been removed, league sources tell me and @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
Pistons remove weight clause from $200 million offer to Jalen Duren (Gift Article)
Duren has until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday to decide between this offer and a one-year qualifying offer to reach unrestricted free agency.
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The weight clause in the Pistons’ five-year, $200 million offer to Jalen Duren has been removed, league sources tell me and @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
Jalen Duren has until tomorrow to either accept the Pistons’ $9.6 million qualifying offer or their five-year, $200 million deal.
Here’s context on Duren’s options ahead, Detroit’s ability to extend the deadline and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
Here’s context on Duren’s options ahead, Detroit’s ability to extend the deadline and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
Jalen Duren, Pistons face a contract deadline. Will a deal get made?
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Jalen Duren has until tomorrow to either accept the Pistons’ $9.6 million qualifying offer or their five-year, $200 million deal.
Here’s context on Duren’s options ahead, Detroit’s ability to extend the deadline and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
Here’s context on Duren’s options ahead, Detroit’s ability to extend the deadline and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
Jalen Duren is expected to miss Pistons media day as negotiations continue to stall, league sources tell @theathletic.com, with @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
Jalen Duren expected to miss Pistons media day amid contract dispute: Sources (Gift Article)
If Duren follows through on his no-show plans on media day, it would be an indication that he'll likely miss the beginning of training camp.
www.nytimes.com
September 28, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Jalen Duren is expected to miss Pistons media day as negotiations continue to stall, league sources tell @theathletic.com, with @samamick.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
Reposted by Hunter Patterson
This was really interesting reporting by @hunterpatterson.bsky.social and @samamick.bsky.social on the Jalen Duren weight clause revelation. I admit: It never occurred to me that the Pistons might have concerns about Duren's weight. www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
Jalen Duren’s rare weight clause in Pistons’ latest contract offer, explained (Gift Article)
Weight clauses are not extremely common in the NBA, though certainly not unheard of, and sometimes resemble incentives.
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2026 at 2:39 PM
This was really interesting reporting by @hunterpatterson.bsky.social and @samamick.bsky.social on the Jalen Duren weight clause revelation. I admit: It never occurred to me that the Pistons might have concerns about Duren's weight. www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
Here’s context on the weight clause in the Pistons’ offer to Jalen Duren, with @samamick.bsky.social.
Details on when Detroit initially wanted Duren to lose weight, monthly weigh-ins and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
Details on when Detroit initially wanted Duren to lose weight, monthly weigh-ins and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
A weight clause is adding another twist to Jalen Duren's $200 million Pistons standoff
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Here’s context on the weight clause in the Pistons’ offer to Jalen Duren, with @samamick.bsky.social.
Details on when Detroit initially wanted Duren to lose weight, monthly weigh-ins and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
Details on when Detroit initially wanted Duren to lose weight, monthly weigh-ins and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
An update on where things stand with Jalen Duren’s contract negotiations with the Pistons, with @samamick.bsky.social.
The latest on Detroit’s most recent offer, new suitors emerging, the possibility of Duren accepting the qualifying offer and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
The latest on Detroit’s most recent offer, new suitors emerging, the possibility of Duren accepting the qualifying offer and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
Is Jalen Duren closer to being a $200 million player? What we're hearing on talks with Pistons
www.nytimes.com
September 21, 2026 at 10:52 PM
An update on where things stand with Jalen Duren’s contract negotiations with the Pistons, with @samamick.bsky.social.
The latest on Detroit’s most recent offer, new suitors emerging, the possibility of Duren accepting the qualifying offer and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
The latest on Detroit’s most recent offer, new suitors emerging, the possibility of Duren accepting the qualifying offer and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
Michael Blackstone was living with stage 4 lung cancer before even accepting his role as the Pistons’ EVP of basketball operations.
Three years after his diagnosis, Blackstone’s “drive” is to help as many people as he can:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
Three years after his diagnosis, Blackstone’s “drive” is to help as many people as he can:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
Pistons’ Michael Blackstone details cancer fight, his ‘drive’ to help others (Gift Article)
"My goal for finally bringing this to light … is to help as many people as I possibly can," the Pistons' VP of basketball operations said.
www.nytimes.com
September 21, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Michael Blackstone was living with stage 4 lung cancer before even accepting his role as the Pistons’ EVP of basketball operations.
Three years after his diagnosis, Blackstone’s “drive” is to help as many people as he can:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
Three years after his diagnosis, Blackstone’s “drive” is to help as many people as he can:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
Here’s more on Ausar Thompson’s new $155 million deal and what it could mean for Jalen Duren’s contract stalemate with the Pistons:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
Ausar Thompson, Pistons agree to 5-year contract extension: Source
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Here’s more on Ausar Thompson’s new $155 million deal and what it could mean for Jalen Duren’s contract stalemate with the Pistons:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
The Pistons survey results are in.
Tap in to see how the fanbase feels about Detroit’s title chances, who they think the second-most valuable Piston is and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
Tap in to see how the fanbase feels about Detroit’s title chances, who they think the second-most valuable Piston is and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
Pistons fan survey: Did Detroit do enough this offseason to compete for a title? (Gift Article)
We surveyed hundreds of Pistons fans about a variety of topics. The results are in.
www.nytimes.com
September 14, 2026 at 1:39 PM
The Pistons survey results are in.
Tap in to see how the fanbase feels about Detroit’s title chances, who they think the second-most valuable Piston is and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
Tap in to see how the fanbase feels about Detroit’s title chances, who they think the second-most valuable Piston is and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
Here’s the latest on what @samamick.bsky.social and I are hearing about Jalen Duren and the Pistons.
From Detroit’s most recent offer to at least one team that would be a suitor if Duren takes the $9.6 million qualifying offer and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
From Detroit’s most recent offer to at least one team that would be a suitor if Duren takes the $9.6 million qualifying offer and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
What we’re hearing on Jalen Duren and his stalemate with the Pistons (Gift Article)
For the 22-year-old Duren, the choice to force his way into unrestricted free agency next summer could make for a risky business decision.
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Here’s the latest on what @samamick.bsky.social and I are hearing about Jalen Duren and the Pistons.
From Detroit’s most recent offer to at least one team that would be a suitor if Duren takes the $9.6 million qualifying offer and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
From Detroit’s most recent offer to at least one team that would be a suitor if Duren takes the $9.6 million qualifying offer and much more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
What’s the next step for Cade Cunningham coming off an All-NBA First Team selection?
Here’s more on how the Pistons can benefit from using Cunningham as an off-ball scorer:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
Here’s more on how the Pistons can benefit from using Cunningham as an off-ball scorer:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
How Pistons can unlock Cade Cunningham’s off-ball looks for more offense (Gift Article)
Cade Cunningham can continue to grow this season and his work off the ball could help.
www.nytimes.com
September 2, 2026 at 2:31 PM
What’s the next step for Cade Cunningham coming off an All-NBA First Team selection?
Here’s more on how the Pistons can benefit from using Cunningham as an off-ball scorer:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
Here’s more on how the Pistons can benefit from using Cunningham as an off-ball scorer:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
With almost a month until preseason, here’s a Pistons fan survey to voice your opinions.
What does success look like next season? Are they contenders? Who is Detroit’s biggest competition in the Eastern Conference?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
What does success look like next season? Are they contenders? Who is Detroit’s biggest competition in the Eastern Conference?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
Pistons fan survey: Can J.B. Bickerstaff lead Detroit to a title? Jalen Duren’s salary? (Gift Article)
Do the Detroit Pistons have what it takes to become NBA champions? Have your say.
www.nytimes.com
August 27, 2026 at 2:35 PM
With almost a month until preseason, here’s a Pistons fan survey to voice your opinions.
What does success look like next season? Are they contenders? Who is Detroit’s biggest competition in the Eastern Conference?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
What does success look like next season? Are they contenders? Who is Detroit’s biggest competition in the Eastern Conference?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
Reposted by Hunter Patterson
Joined forces with our @hunterpatterson.bsky.social to talk about Jalen Duren's situation in Detroit.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
Why Jalen Duren’s contract talks with the Detroit Pistons have dragged on
Former Grizzlies exec John Hollinger discusses the standoff between Jalen Duren and the Pistons.
www.nytimes.com
August 20, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Joined forces with our @hunterpatterson.bsky.social to talk about Jalen Duren's situation in Detroit.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
To better understand the Jalen Duren-Pistons stalemate, I turned to @johnhollinger.bsky.social, former Grizzlies VP of basketball ops.
We discussed the most likely outcome, nuances of the negotiation, how Duren’s situation could affect Ausar Thompson and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
We discussed the most likely outcome, nuances of the negotiation, how Duren’s situation could affect Ausar Thompson and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
Why Jalen Duren’s contract talks with the Detroit Pistons have dragged on (Gift Article)
Former Grizzlies exec John Hollinger discusses the standoff between Jalen Duren and the Pistons.
www.nytimes.com
August 20, 2026 at 1:43 PM
To better understand the Jalen Duren-Pistons stalemate, I turned to @johnhollinger.bsky.social, former Grizzlies VP of basketball ops.
We discussed the most likely outcome, nuances of the negotiation, how Duren’s situation could affect Ausar Thompson and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
We discussed the most likely outcome, nuances of the negotiation, how Duren’s situation could affect Ausar Thompson and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
Where do the Pistons stack up in a revamped Eastern Conference? Internal development will likely determine Detroit’s ceiling:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
How do the Pistons stack up against LeBron, Giannis and a new-look Eastern Conference? (Gift Article)
The NBA's power balance may have shifted, but that doesn't mean last year's No. 1 seed can't be competitive.
www.nytimes.com
July 31, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Where do the Pistons stack up in a revamped Eastern Conference? Internal development will likely determine Detroit’s ceiling:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
Have the Pistons improved this summer as they look to build on their 60-win season?
Here’s my outlook on Detroit’s offseason moves so far with depth chart projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...
Here’s my outlook on Detroit’s offseason moves so far with depth chart projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...
The Pistons stuck to their offseason plan. Now comes the hard part with Jalen Duren (Gift Article)
With Jalen Duren's ongoing contract negotiations, what is the outlook on Detroit's offseason?
www.nytimes.com
July 22, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Have the Pistons improved this summer as they look to build on their 60-win season?
Here’s my outlook on Detroit’s offseason moves so far with depth chart projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...
Here’s my outlook on Detroit’s offseason moves so far with depth chart projections:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...
What’s the latest on Jalen Duren’s contract negotiations? What led to the Isaiah Stewart trade? Are the Pistons done making moves?
After nearly a week in Vegas for summer league, here’s what I’m hearing about Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
After nearly a week in Vegas for summer league, here’s what I’m hearing about Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
Jalen Duren’s contract talks with Pistons, big swings and more: What I’m hearing (Gift Article)
Here's the latest on the Pistons from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
www.nytimes.com
July 16, 2026 at 3:07 PM
What’s the latest on Jalen Duren’s contract negotiations? What led to the Isaiah Stewart trade? Are the Pistons done making moves?
After nearly a week in Vegas for summer league, here’s what I’m hearing about Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
After nearly a week in Vegas for summer league, here’s what I’m hearing about Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
I sat down with Pistons rookie Ebuka Okorie for an exclusive on how he can help Cade Cunningham, his relationship with Trajan Langdon, his basketball superpower and more:
“He’s got some things you can’t teach.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...
“He’s got some things you can’t teach.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...
Pistons traded up for Ebuka Okorie. Why they believe he's a draft-day steal
www.nytimes.com
July 13, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I sat down with Pistons rookie Ebuka Okorie for an exclusive on how he can help Cade Cunningham, his relationship with Trajan Langdon, his basketball superpower and more:
“He’s got some things you can’t teach.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...
“He’s got some things you can’t teach.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...
What’s next for Jalen Duren and the Pistons after contract negotiations have stalled?
It makes most sense to come to an agreement sooner than later. Here’s more on why a reunion would benefit both Duren and Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
It makes most sense to come to an agreement sooner than later. Here’s more on why a reunion would benefit both Duren and Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
Where does Jalen Duren go from here with Pistons in restricted free agency?
www.nytimes.com
July 11, 2026 at 4:52 PM
What’s next for Jalen Duren and the Pistons after contract negotiations have stalled?
It makes most sense to come to an agreement sooner than later. Here’s more on why a reunion would benefit both Duren and Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
It makes most sense to come to an agreement sooner than later. Here’s more on why a reunion would benefit both Duren and Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
Here’s more on the Pistons agreeing to trade Caris LeVert and two 2027 second-round picks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
Pistons trade Caris LeVert to Bucks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris: Sources
www.nytimes.com
July 8, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Here’s more on the Pistons agreeing to trade Caris LeVert and two 2027 second-round picks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
Can confirm, per a league source, the Pistons are trading Caris LeVert and two second-round picks to the Bucks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris.
Detroit also creates a $15 million trade exception.
Detroit also creates a $15 million trade exception.
July 7, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Can confirm, per a league source, the Pistons are trading Caris LeVert and two second-round picks to the Bucks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris.
Detroit also creates a $15 million trade exception.
Detroit also creates a $15 million trade exception.