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Do Pistons have problem if Jalen Duren keeps playing well?

By Stuart London

Jalen Duren #2 of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Jalen Duren #2 of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Jul 7, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers forward Trendon Watford (2) during an NBA Summer League game at T&M. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Where can Jalen Duren get playing time on Detroit Pistons?

If only Duren could be on a team not looking to be a contender this year, but wanting to build a young core to play together, and become a force in the future. Hey! That’s the Detroit Pistons.

Olynyk is the only of the five bigs who has a lot of experience at power forward. But Detroit has Stewart bombing ‘threes’ in summer league (and he is doing well) and, apparently, Bagley will get a look at the ‘4’ as well, despite being an ugly 23.7% three-point shooter last year.

That leaves Noel and Duren as the only center-only players. If Weaver could flip Noel to a team that needs a backup center (not Cleveland, they signed Drummond), it would open things up more for Duren.

But, assuming Noel is on the team, with him, Bagley, Stewart and Olynyk needing (and frankly deserving) real playing time, it might be tough to get Duren more than 10 minutes a game.

If Bagley is looking good on lobs, Olynyk draining threes and Stewart, doing his ‘Beef Stew’ thing (and now also draining threes) and Noel providing the elite defense he is known for, where is a place for Duren?

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