Jalen Duren’s Breakout Season Is Forcing the Pistons to Rethink Everything
Whatever window the Detroit Pistons had to lock up Jalen Duren on a team-friendly deal has slammed shut - and it might’ve been boarded up for good. The 20-year-old center has taken a massive leap this season, and if he keeps trending the way he is, he’s not just going to get paid - he’s going to command a deal north of $40 million per year.
That’s not speculation. That’s the price of doing business when a young big man evolves from a raw athlete into a two-way force with real star upside.
From Rim-Runner to Rising Star
Let’s rewind for a second. It wasn’t long ago that there were legitimate questions about Duren’s long-term fit in Detroit.
Sure, he had the athleticism and rebounding chops to make an impact, but his game outside of the paint was still under construction. The flashes were there - a block here, a nice pass there - but consistency was elusive.
Some wondered if the Pistons were looking at another Andre Drummond situation: a physical marvel who could dominate the glass but struggled to expand his game.
Fast forward to this season, and Duren is flipping that narrative on its head.
He’s not just cleaning the glass and catching lobs anymore. He’s putting the ball on the deck, hitting midrange jumpers with confidence, and making smart reads out of the short roll.
He’s playing with a level of polish and poise that has people drawing comparisons to Chris Webber - and not just because of the Michigan ties. Duren’s offensive game has added layers, and it’s forcing defenses to respect him in ways they didn’t have to a year ago.
A Two-Way Anchor in the Making
Offense isn’t the only area where Duren has leveled up. He’s become a more disciplined rim protector, timing his challenges better and anchoring a Pistons defense that’s quietly been one of the more competitive units in the league. He’s averaging seven more points per game than last season, grabbing boards at a career-best rate, and showing the kind of defensive awareness that turns potential into production.
And then there’s the chemistry with Cade Cunningham.
Their pick-and-roll game is becoming must-watch basketball. Cunningham’s craft and vision combined with Duren’s vertical gravity and improved decision-making have created one of the most promising young duos in the league.
Defenses are having a hard time picking their poison - go under and Cade pulls up, switch and Duren punishes you on the roll, hedge and he finds the open man. It’s the kind of synergy that could define Detroit’s offense for years to come.
The Price of Potential
Of course, all of this is going to come at a cost.
The Pistons opted not to extend Duren last summer, perhaps hoping to see more before committing long-term. Well, they’ve seen enough now - and so has the rest of the league.
That rumored $30 million per year price tag from last offseason? That’s looking like a bargain compared to where things are headed.
Duren’s camp is reportedly eyeing a deal in the $40 million range, and with the way he’s playing, it’s hard to argue against it.
This puts Detroit in a tricky spot. They’ve got cap space, but that flexibility is going to be tested with Duren’s impending payday and Ausar Thompson’s extension looming not far behind.
It also means fans hoping for a blockbuster deadline move - say, a swing for someone like Anthony Davis - might want to pump the brakes. The Pistons are building from within, and Duren’s emergence is a big reason why.
A Star Grown, Not Acquired
Here’s the silver lining: Detroit may have found its second star, and they didn’t have to trade a single asset to get him. No draft-night maneuvering, no free agency bidding wars - just a 19-year-old kid who came in, put in the work, and is now blossoming into one of the East’s most promising big men.
He’s not just in the mix for Most Improved Player - he’s making a legitimate All-Star case. And if he keeps this up, he’s going to be a foundational piece for the Pistons’ next era, not just a footnote in their rebuild.
Detroit asked Duren to prove it. He did. Now it’s their move.