Jalen Duren didn’t need long to make a first impression this preseason. In Detroit’s opener against the Timberwolves, the young big man flashed the efficient scoring that grabbed attention right away, but the defensive work may have mattered just as much. If that kind of motor carries over into the regular season and beyond, the Pistons could end up with a much higher ceiling even without a major jump on offense.
That’s the interesting part of Detroit’s outlook. The obvious conversation is about whether the offense can do enough, especially with shot creation elsewhere moving on and Ausar Thompson expected to shoulder a bigger scoring load.
But there’s another layer here: the Pistons’ defense may need to evolve, too. If Thompson has to spend more energy on offense, he may not be able to bring quite the same all-world defensive effort he did a season ago.
That opens the door for Duren to become even more important.
Against Minnesota, Duren logged 2 steals and 1 block in just 15 minutes. He wasn’t just filling up a box score, either.
He helped spark transition chances with his defensive playmaking and held up well around the rim against the Timberwolves’ slashers. That kind of impact changes the shape of a game, and if it becomes a regular thing, it gives Detroit another way to stay dangerous.
There’s already proof that defense can carry this team deep into a series. Last postseason, it was Detroit’s defense that helped the club rally from a 3-1 deficit against the Magic in the first round.
That same edge got the Pistons out to a 2-0 lead over the Cavaliers in the next round. But Cleveland solved things from there, scoring at least 112 points in each of the next three games and winning all three.
That stretch showed the margins clearly. Even if Duren’s offense wasn’t firing, a steadier defense might have been enough to push Detroit into the Conference Finals.
For Duren himself, the formula is simple: defend at a higher level, and he raises his baseline value even when the shots aren’t falling. If he can put it all together and look like an All-Star on both ends, the Pistons become a much tougher team to deal with in both the regular season and the playoffs.
In Other News...
Pistons Rookie Just Made JB Bickerstaffs Rotation Decision Harder
The Pistons wrapped up the preseason with a win over Torontos backups, and the final tune-up offered one more reminder that the back end of the roster has become a real competition. Ausar Thompson continued to flash on offense, but it was rookie Ebuka Okorie who drew the attention with a 14-point burst in just nine minutes, the kind of quick-hit scoring that can change how a staff thinks about its guard depth.
Daniss Jenkins still looks like the likely opening-night backup point guard, but performances like this make the discussion a little less settled than it seemed a week ago. Okorie showed enough offensive juice to at least make JB Bickerstaff keep him in the conversation, especially if the Pistons want more creation from that spot early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Flashed Real Progress But One Problem Still Stood Out
The Pistons ended their preseason on a positive note with a 129-125 win over the Raptors, and there was enough in it to suggest the offense is starting to come together. Cade Cunningham led the way with 18 points and seven assists, while Jalen Duren added 14 points and looked sharper after missing earlier preseason games during contract negotiations. Detroits shooting and spacing both stood out, two signs that the group is beginning to look more comfortable in its new shape.
Still, the final preseason tune-up also underlined the issue that can undo all that progress if it lingers. Toronto put up 45 points in the fourth quarter, and the Pistons were called for 35 personal fouls, a reminder that the defensive end is still lagging behind the offense. The talent is there for Detroit to take a step forward, but the margin for error stays thin until the stop-the-ball issues clean up. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Rotation Battle Is Already Creating Pressure On One Newcomer
The Pistons are still sorting out their rotation with the regular season approaching, and the competition is already tightening in the backcourt. John Collins has helped himself by playing efficiently and showing real chemistry with Cade Cunningham, while Jalen Durens strong preseason and new five-year deal have only reinforced how central he is to Detroits plans.
Kevin Huerter, meanwhile, is the newcomer feeling the squeeze. Detroit has a crowded shooting guard mix with Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Joe also in the picture, and that leaves Huerter fighting for a clear lane to consistent minutes as the staff weighs fit, spacing and trust before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]