Paul Reed is suddenly staring at a much bigger role in Detroit, and the Jalen Duren situation is the reason why.
The Pistons already made one move that pointed in Reed’s direction by trading Isaiah Stewart, a decision that effectively cleared the way for Reed to serve as the team’s full-time backup five. Reed had already done enough in last year’s playoffs to make that look like a sensible call. Now the stakes around that spot keep rising.
Duren remains Detroit’s starting center, and there’s no ambiguity about his standing. He was an All-Star last year, earned a spot on the All-NBA Third Team and has established himself as one of the league’s top centers. But he has not been pleased with the Pistons’ current restricted free-agent offer, and that uncertainty changes everything for the rest of the depth chart.
Even if Duren eventually signs, the fit may not be perfect. If he doesn’t, the Pistons would be in a serious bind. Either way, Reed becomes more important by the day.
That was already true based on what Reed showed in the playoffs against Cleveland. In that second-round series, he was a real factor while Duren had trouble settling in. Reed appeared in five games and averaged 13.0 minutes, 11.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game while shooting 70.6% from the field and 66.7% from three-point range, going 2-of-3.
It was enough to make an impression on JB Bickerstaff, who at times opted to go with Reed over Duren. For a backup center, that kind of trust matters.
Right now, Reed is the only center on a standard roster spot behind Duren. Detroit does have two center options on two-way contracts in Isaac Jones and rookie Ugonna Onyenso, but that is not exactly a sturdy safety net. Jones may be capable of contributing, but a rotation built around Reed and Jones would be shaky.
So the Pistons are left with a clear reality: once Stewart was traded, Reed’s workload was going to climb. With Duren’s status still unresolved, it has climbed even more. Detroit is going to need Reed to absorb a lot, and he’ll have to answer that call.
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