The Detroit Pistons righted the ship in their second game of the season, defeating the Houston Rockets 115-111 on the road. The offense flowed much better, they got a ton of contributions from the bench, and they overcame foul trouble to secure their first win of the season. Unfortunately, it was not all positive. In fact, Jalen Duren put together another performance that left many Pistons fans shaking their heads with frustration. For the front office, it may have validated their decision not to give him a contract extension.
Jalen Duren Letting Pistons Down in First 2 Games of the Season
In the season opener, Duren was in early foul trouble, limiting his playing time to less than 20 minutes. On Friday, things got even worse. Duren first got a technical for shoving Amen Thompson after being fouled. On the ensuing play, Duren elbowed Thompson in the face when trying to cut inside, receiving a Flagrant Foul, Penalty 2 that ended his night early. This time, he was only able to stay on the floor for 12 minutes, accumulating six points, six rebounds, a steal, and a block.
Duren letting his team down two games in a row is not the start the Pistons had in mind for their fourth-year player. Yes, Duren has yet to turn 22, but he is no longer a rookie. He is a starting center for a playoff team. He must be better at not letting his emotions get to him, so he can find ways to stay on the floor.
The Pistons and Duren failed to agree to a contract extension in the offseason, making the former lottery pick an expiring deal before hitting restricted free agency in the summer of 2026. Duren was reportedly asking for $30 million per year in his next extension, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Detroit understandably wasn't interested in committing to him at that number, and his start to the season so far proves the front office right.
If Duren breaks out and starts looking like a reliable two-way starter who can play extended minutes, the Pistons would be thrilled to give him the contract he desires next offseason. In restricted free agency, it's hard to imagine Duren getting an offer sheet near the $30 million annual salary in today's NBA, where centers are undervalued and considered more replaceable than other positions, unless he takes a significant step forward.
We saw this with restricted free agents in the offseason, when players like Josh Giddey and Jonathan Kuminga were squeezed out and had to sign team-friendly deals to return to their teams. Teams don't want to tie their cap space up to give an offer sheet to restricted free agents. This will give the Pistons an advantage in keeping both Duren and Jaden Ivey. For them to feel good about the extension, however, they need to see more from their young breakout candidates.