Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren vs. James Wiseman doesn’t matter for now

The Detroit Pistons will likely end the season with the league’s worst record, so all they have to play for in these last few games is development of their young players and what is left of their pride.

The two young bigs have gotten most of the attention of late, with fans of the Detroit Pistons going to war with each other about which one is better and who should be starting.

Troy Weaver is determined to use two bigs for some reason, even though all evidence points to it not working, so both Jalen Duren and James Wiseman will be a part of the future in some capacity.

I am on the record as saying that Jalen Duren should be starting, and that he is the better player and center of the future, but some fans think Wiseman’s addition has stunted Duren’s growth, or at least gotten him a demotion that he did nothing to deserve.

I do think Duren is better at most things that matter for this team, and that he should be starting, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter for now.

Detroit Pistons starting lineup: Jalen Duren vs. James Wiseman

I completely understand the argument that Jalen Duren deserves to be the starter. He played well in that role and undoubtedly started to build chemistry with Jaden Ivey, as Duren was the recipient of most of Ivey’s assists.

If the Detroit Pistons see Duren as their center of the future, then why not just start now?

There’s also the argument that James Wiseman is more of a unknown and the Pistons should get as much data on him as possible, as he is up for an extension this summer or will be on the final year of his contract.

Duren isn’t going anywhere and these games don’t matter, so why not see as much of Wiseman as possible?

Also, there hasn’t been much difference in Duren’s minutes or numbers since Wiseman joined the Pistons.

Duren has averaged 9.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 21.8 minutes per game with Wiseman and 8.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.2 minutes without him.

However, when you just look at the games Duren has started, he’s averaging 10.1 points 10.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his 27 games as a starter. He played 28.4 minutes per game, so he has lost some minutes coming off the bench.

But Duren looked worn down, suffered a couple of injuries and wasn’t likely to keep up that number of minutes anyway. Wiseman is probably costing him a few minutes per game at this point, but the shift isn’t dramatic.

There are valid points to be made on both sides, but both young bigs are going to get plenty of run in these final games and Jalen Duren is still very much part of the future.