The Detroit Pistons are proving themselves to be one of the best teams in the NBA. At 13-2, Detroit sits in first place in the Eastern Conference, while owning the second-best record in the league. The Pistons’ turnaround from winning just 14 games two seasons ago has been nothing short of incredible. Cade Cunningham has been the main player to thank for that happening, but Jalen Duren deserves a lot of love, as well.
Duren has quietly been putting together one of the better seasons in the NBA. Detroit failed to extend the 22-year-old before the rookie-scale deadline in October, which means he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Duren bet on himself, and he is winning. The Athletic’s John Hollinger predicts the Pistons will have to give Duren a max contract to keep him in Detroit.
Does Jalen Duren Deserve a Max Contract?
GettyJalen Duren is averaging 20.6 points per game this season.
The short answer is yes. Duren has done more than enough this season to prove himself worthy of receiving that type of money.
The 2022 first-round pick had a slower start to the year, but he has played much better in November. This month, Duren is averaging 24.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. He has recorded six double-doubles in eight games played in November. That includes a 22-point, 22-rebound double-double against the Utah Jazz.
Duren has an offensive rating of 120.0, which leads the Pistons. Additionally, his net rating (11.9) is the highest on the team by a good margin. The 6-foot-10 center is making 67.4% of his shots, and he has the second-highest usage percentage on the team. Detroit plays through the big man, and it is working so far.
On defense, Duren is second on the team in defensive win shares, defensive rebound percentage, and blocks per game. He does a great job protecting the paint while keeping opponents off the offensive glass. He is one of the more athletic centers in the NBA, and the Pistons benefit from having him on the court.
Can The Pistons Afford a Max Contract?
GettyJalen Duren and Cade Cunningham are the two leading scorers in Detroit.
Once again, the short answer is yes.
Detroit, reportedly, did not want to pay Duren $30 million per year on an extension earlier this season. The bad news for the Pistons is they will have to pay him more now. The good news is Detroit can more than afford to pay him.
Duren will be a restricted free agent at the end of the year, meaning the Pistons are allowed to match any offer given to him. Additionally, he has a cap hold of just $19.4 million. However, if he accepts a larger contract with another team, Detroit may have to pay up to keep him.
The Pistons’ book is light headed into next season, though. Only Cunningham is owed more than $16 million. But Detroit will have to make a decision on Tobias Harris (unrestricted free agent) and Jaden Ivey (restricted), which will cost them a pretty penny to keep around. Nonetheless, the Pistons can afford Duren, and they should do whatever they can to keep him in Detroit.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NBA Insider Reveals What Pistons Will Have to Pay Jalen Duren appeared first on Heavy Sports.