Why the Pistons Were Right to Pass on Myles Turner - And How Jalen Duren Is Proving It
Last offseason, the Detroit Pistons were reportedly in the market for a stretch five - a modern big who could space the floor and protect the rim. Among the names floated was Myles Turner, a player with a reputation for shot-blocking and floor spacing. Fast forward to mid-December, and it’s clear: Detroit dodged a bullet.
Turner ultimately signed a four-year, $108 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks - a move that was seen as a response to mounting pressure to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and competitive. But not even halfway through the season, the fit has been shaky at best, and rumors are already swirling that Turner could be on the move again.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, Jalen Duren is blossoming. The 22-year-old has taken a leap and is firmly in the conversation as one of the top centers in the Eastern Conference - a development that makes the Pistons’ decision to pass on Turner look even smarter in hindsight.
Turner’s Fit in Milwaukee Isn’t Clicking
The idea behind signing Turner was understandable. A rim protector who can hit threes?
That’s a valuable piece next to Giannis. But the reality hasn’t matched the theory.
Giannis has only played in 17 games so far this season, and his absence has exposed just how much the Bucks were banking on that pairing working. When Turner and Giannis do share the floor, they’ve posted a +9.5 net rating - solid on paper - but that comes with a 115 defensive rating, which would land them in the bottom half of the league. For a duo that was supposed to anchor an elite defense, that’s a red flag.
Milwaukee as a whole ranks just 22nd in defensive rating, and Turner hasn’t provided the defensive punch they were hoping for. He’s averaging the fewest blocks per game since his rookie year.
His scoring and rebounding numbers are also near career lows. And offensively?
He’s shooting a career-worst 43% from the field, and his three-point shot - once a key part of his appeal - has cooled off significantly.
That’s not what you want to see from a player in the first year of a four-year contract. Especially not one carrying a $108 million price tag.
Detroit’s Patience Pays Off
The Pistons were never likely to match Milwaukee’s offer, and it’s hard to imagine Turner would’ve chosen Detroit if the Bucks were on the table. But the important thing is that Detroit didn’t overextend themselves for a player whose best days might already be behind him.
Instead, they’ve leaned into youth and development - and Jalen Duren is rewarding that approach. Outside of three-point shooting, Duren has outplayed Turner across the board this season. He’s more active on the glass, more effective around the rim, and brings a level of energy and physicality that fits Detroit’s rebuilding identity.
And the best part? He’s just 22.
His ceiling is still rising, while Turner, now in his 30s, appears to be heading in the opposite direction. Duren will command a bigger salary soon, but the Pistons will be paying for a player entering his prime - not exiting it.
What’s Next for Milwaukee?
The Bucks are 11-16 and sitting 11th in the East. It’s not panic time yet, but if they continue to slide while Giannis remains sidelined, the front office may be forced to make some tough decisions. Turner’s name is already popping up in trade rumors, and if things don’t turn around quickly, Milwaukee could be looking at a major shake-up - one that might not stop with Turner.
For now, the Pistons can sit back and feel good about a decision that, at the time, wasn’t universally praised. They stayed patient, stuck to their long-term plan, and avoided tying up big money in a player whose impact hasn’t matched the investment.
Jalen Duren is giving them every reason to believe they made the right call - and if his trajectory continues, that decision might end up being one of the key turning points in Detroit’s rebuild.