The Detroit Pistons won a double overtime thriller over the San Antonio Spurs in what ended as a statement game for rookie Jalen Duren.
And that statement? “Not so fast.”
When the Pistons traded Saddiq Bey and Kevin Knox for center James Wiseman, reports immediately emerged that Detroit planned on making Wiseman the starting center.
This made little sense, as Jalen Duren, the NBA’s youngest player, has been fantastic in the starting role, averaging a double-double since joining the starting five.
It makes even less sense after last night, as Duren had his best game of the season, pouring in 30 points, grabbing 17 rebounds and adding three assists and four blocks in the win over the Spurs.
Duren is not about to give up his job as the starting center, so the Detroit Pistons are going to have to figure something else out.
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren is the starting center
Whatever happens the rest of this season in terms of wins, losses and draft position, one thing is clear: Jalen Duren is the starting center of the Detroit Pistons.
Duren has already done more in the NBA than James Wiseman, is playing well and getting better with each game. There is no way the Pistons can bench him in favor of Wiseman, as his development has to be prioritized over taking a flyer on a guy who has barely played in the NBA In three seasons.
Of course, Duren keeping his starting job does not mean Wiseman won’t be in the starting five, as some believe the Pistons are going to try out a two big formation similar to what the Cavaliers are doing in Cleveland.
This could all be a moot point, as the four-team deal that brought in Wiseman is in jeopardy at the moment after part of it, Gary Payton II, failed his physical.
Whatever ends up happening with Wiseman, Duren should keep his starting job, where he has averaged 11.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24 games.
If the Wiseman deal does end up completed, it is going to be interesting to see how coach Dwane Casey finds minutes for all of his bigs, especially once Marvin Bagley III returns from injury.