Pistons on collision course with franchise-altering decision

Regardless of how this series turns out, Jalen Duren has complicated the offseason for the Detroit Pistons, who may be forced into an uncomfortable position. 

This series is not over, and if you are counting this team out, then you haven’t been paying attention, as they’ve responded all year with their backs against the wall. It’s not over until the Cavaliers win four. 

Even if the Pistons pull off the upset, they have to be concerned about All-Star center Jalen Duren, who was unplayable in the 4th quarter of a must-win playoff game and has been bad all postseason. 

Duren is just 22, so isn’t a finished product, and probably had more on his plate than he needed at this point in his development. That’s not an excuse, only to say that Duren will get better. 

He, Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson form the core of this team, and I don’t think that has changed because Duren had a bad playoffs. He did too much well this season to completely write him off, and he’ll use this performance as fuel to get better. 

All that said, his performance has put a cap on how much the Pistons can pay him, which could put them in a tough spot. 

The Pistons are vulnerable to a max offer sheet 

Some teams around the league may see Duren’s playoff shortcomings as an opportunity. Teams like the Bulls and Lakers desperately need a center and could put in a massive offer for Duren that would give the Pistons pause. 

Detroit can outbid anyone by a wide margin, and Duren seems happy in Detroit where he has great chemistry and camaraderie with his teammates, so it’s hard to see him leaving if the two sides can agree on the numbers. 

But a poison pill max offer from some other team could send the Pistons in a different direction, one that is becoming more popular in the NBA. 

The Pistons could go dirt cheap at center 

I’m not saying the Pistons should do this, as I like Duren and think he’ll get better, but they can’t pay him like a second offensive option, because he isn’t and may never be. 

The Pistons have two other centers already and could complement them with a cheap third who maybe offered something more on offense.  

Again, I’m not saying they should go this route, as I would hate to watch Duren play somewhere else, but they have needs elsewhere that will also need addressed. 

I’d love to see Duren do something in these next two games to flip the script, but even if he doesn’t, my bet is that he’ll be back with the Pistons. 

But there is a world where the Pistons have a radically different roster next season. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow