Board man gets paid: How Jalen Duren is flourishing in a contract year

Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons didn't agree on a rookie extension before the season began. Now, Duren is setting himself for a big contract with a breakout fourth season — especially on the boards.

Duren scored 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the Pistons improved to 8-2 with a 111-108 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. It's especially impressive that Duren did this matched up with Andre Drummond, one of the best rebounders in NBA history. But it's becoming the new normal for Duren.

Jalen Duren has taken a big leap in 2025-26

The Pistons' young center doesn't turn 22 until Nov. 18, but he's playing like a veteran this season. Duren is averaging 19.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks this season, all career highs, with the most dramatic improvements coming in his scoring (up from 11.8 PPG last season) and offensive rebounding (4.3 per game, up from 3.6).

Duren isn't just getting rebounds for himself. He's fifth in the NBA in team rebounds on his box outs, meaning his ability to keep opponents off the boards is letting teammates grab missed shots. The Pistons are eight points per 100 possessions better with Duren on the court than off, the best mark for any of their rotation players (Cade Cunningham is +6.9).

He's become Cunningham's favorite target. Cunningham has 28 assists to Duren this season, most of any pair of teammates in the NBA. Duren's ability to score in pick and rolls with his All-Star teammates paralyzes defenses, who have to choose between giving Cunningham room to shoot or letting Duren get free on rolls to the hoop.