The Detroit Pistons have their first game of the 2026-27 NBA season in six days. Before they take on the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, however, the Pistons have two more preseason games to put the final touches on the rotation and get into regular-season shape.
These games will also provide an opportunity for Pistons fans to see Jalen Duren back in action. After signing a new deal with the franchise two weeks ago, Duren has been in training camp. But he has yet to take the court in the preseason.
The Pistons are in Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Wednesday in their third preseason game. When asked whether Duren will finally play, head coach JB Bickerstaff was noncommittal. He said that they want to be cautious and make sure they "don't put him in a compromising position," per The Athletic's Hunter Patterson.
Asked J.B. Bickerstaff how Jalen Duren is progressing and if he’s on track to play tomorrow:
— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) October 13, 2026
“We’re just being cautious and making sure we don’t put him in a compromising position. But he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s been able to pass all the tests.” pic.twitter.com/Qnht6pEbs0
Duren's availability in season opener may be in jeopardy
Bickerstaff then added that the 22-year-old center did everything the team asked of him and passed all the tests, but this is still noteworthy. It could certainly suggest that Duren is still behind his teammates in terms of conditioning.
While it's true that Duren missed a couple of days of practice while he was still engaged in contract negotiations with the front office, it's notable that he still has not been able to catch up. One has to wonder what type of shape he came into camp in.
Duren signed his new contract on October 1st. He had his first press conference three days later and was at practice on October 5th. The Pistons, on the other hand, began training camp practices on September 29th.
After his return to practice, Bickerstaff said that the team had a plan to ramp Duren up and that they were hoping that he would be "ready to go full speed" for the season opener. He had talked about how good Duren looked in early practices and how he liked the shape he was in.
A lot of this is obviously coachspeak. Bickerstaff isn't going to throw Duren under the bus, especially after a tense contract standoff. It's also understandable that Duren wouldn't be working out at 110% intensity while he remained without a contract.
At the same time, it certainly puts Duren's availability for the first game of the season in jeopardy. It doesn't sound like the star center is ready right now. Even if he is ready to suit up against the Celtics on Tuesday, he may not end up getting his usual share of minutes. How long it will take Duren to be in optimal shape remains to be seen, so Paul Reed and Tolu Smith may be in line for extended runs to begin the season.
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