What happened: Duren's five-year, $200 million agreement closes the contract stalemate that had kept him away from camp since media day. With the deal in place, his fantasy outlook moves back toward the top tier at center for 2026-27 drafts.

Why it matters: Contract uncertainty had been the biggest drag on Duren's draft value entering preseason. Removing that risk makes him easier to project as a high-end center option rather than a holdout question.

What to watch: The next marker is when Duren returns to full camp work and how quickly he ramps into preseason action. That timing should help set his final spot on draft boards.