The Pistons took care of one of their biggest issues this offseason, agreeing to a five-year contract extension with defensive star wing Ausar Thompson. One major piece of unfinished business remains — ending the standoff with restricted free agent center Jalen Duren.

According to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson, Detroit’s brass remains confident that it will eventually reach a long-term agreement with Duren. The Pistons reportedly offered the big man in the neighborhood of $190MM over five years.

The Pistons have resisted any sign-and-trade scenarios regarding Duren, whose only leverage is to sign his $9.6MM qualifying offer and then become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Here’s more on the Pistons:

• There’s some urgency for the Pistons to get Duren signed with training camp approaching, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa, even if it’s a shorter term deal. While the club could push the deadline for Duren to sign the qualifying offer as late as March 1, there’s little incentive for the Pistons to allow negotiations to go into the season, Sankofa adds.
• Thompson plans to take a more determined approach on the offensive end, Thompson told Sankofa (Twitter link). “I see myself being a lot more aggressive … touching the paint and collapsing the defense, plus everything I do already on defense. I think that’s a hell of a player,” he said. Thompson averaged 9.9 points in 73 games last season while attempting 7.9 shots per contest. Only 24 of his attempts came from beyond the arc — he made six.
• Can Thompson and fellow lottery pick Ron Holland play together more often this season? They’re a disruptive defensive duo but they have to improve on the offensive end to make it work, Patterson writes. Both have been working with assistant coach and shooting specialist Fred Vinson on a daily basis. Holland shot just 25.3% from long-range last season, his second in the league.
• President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon acknowledges that veterans Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart will be missed. Harris signed with San Antonio as a free agent, while Stewart was dealt to Memphis. “I can’t say enough about either of those two players. Tobias was huge in setting the culture and establishing it — especially with his experience, leadership, professionalism and competitive nature. He helped us win a ton of games on the floor. He’s not a player that we can replace. He has meant a lot to this organization. We’ll miss him for sure and appreciate everything he brought,” he told Coty M. Davis of the Detroit News.