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Extending Jalen Duren Could Change Detroit

Originally posted on The Lead | By Cory Nelson | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 11:51 AM ET

Last season, the Detroit Pistons got their first taste of the playoffs since 2019.

Although they lost to the New York Knicks in the first round, the fans in Motor City have many reasons to be optimistic. After years of rebuilding and holding onto hope, things are looking positive as they now have a young and contending roster.

One of their young and promising players is center Jalen Duren. The only concern the Pistons are facing now, when it comes to Duren, is whether to secure him on a long-term contract extension.

Although Duren has shown flashes of stardom, investing a large sum of money carries risks.

Duren’s Growth Speaks Volumes

Duren has developed into a rising talent.

Last year, Duren showed that he can provide production in multiple areas. He averaged 11.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, a career-high 2.7 assists, and a career-high 1.1 blocks. This came one season after averaging a career-high 13.8 points, a career-high 11.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

He had a handful of memorable performances this season, but on Mar. 3, Duren had a game that stood out. During a blowout win against the Utah Jazz, he recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. His impressive outing sparked a huge compliment from head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

“He’s figured out his positioning on the weak side, at a high level,” Bickerstaff said after the game. “He’s reading the drivers at a high level, and he’s early to his spots. Obviously, the athleticism and the power he presents. But he’s just done a great job at learning the system and reading the floor in front of him and protecting the rim.”

Duren has also proved that he can show up on the big stage when the Pistons earned last year’s playoff berth.

While the Pistons lost to the Knicks in the first round, Duren’s production was still significant. While being matched up against a dominant Karl-Anthony Towns, he averaged 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 blocks.

Though he is only entering his fourth season, Duren’s developmental trajectory mirrors that of a defensive center like Jarrett Allen. Allen earned a five-year, $100 million contract from the Cleveland Cavaliers after proving his value early in his career.

Maintaining the Team’s Future

With a roster that includes youthful players Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson, the Pistons currently hold great leverage for their future.

Duncan Robinson on what excites about being on the Detroit Pistons

“There's a lot to be excited about it's such a young group. You know there's you know 22 23 24 real guys that are all really at the core of it obviously Tobias is a big piece as well and he's he's over 30 like… pic.twitter.com/Dwk6zRRQL2

— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) July 24, 2025

Just last summer, Cunningham signed a five-year rookie max extension with the Pistons. The contract will keep Cunningham locked in until the summer of 2030. As for Ivey and Thompson, their rookie contracts expire within the next two years. However, they will become restricted free agents, which allows the Pistons to match any offer they receive.

Extending Duren could be a huge move for Detroit.

At just 21 years old, Duren has already shown he can be a nightly double-double threat and possibly one of the league’s best rim-protectors. If the Pistons lock him in early, they would ensure that their young core has time to grow together without the uncertainty of an impending contract negotiation.

The Looming Concerns

While there are many advantages to extending Duren, there are also some issues that need to be addressed.

In just his three years in the NBA, he has experienced a series of injuries, mainly to his ankles. Similar to other big men who perform at a high level, Duren carries the traditional injury risk associated with playing a lot of minutes and engaging in physical play.

Another matter that the Pistons should watch for is their financial flexibility. Going into the 2025-26 season, they are projected to be $67.5 million under the first luxury tax apron. Despite that, if Detroit decides to offer Duren a huge contract, it could limit their ability to sign other pieces to complement their core.

Extending Duren will be a critical decision for the Pistons. While financial considerations should always be weighed carefully, his talent and potential will be another piece to a successful rebuild.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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