The Detroit Pistons have played most of the season without starting center Jalen Duren and it shows in the rebounding numbers, which are trending in the wrong direction.
The Pistons were one of the top rebounding teams in the league last season, but those numbers have dipped significantly without Duren in the lineup, which was to be expected. Paul Reed offers things Duren does not, but he’s not as good a rebounder.
The Pistons’ rebounding rate and total rebounds per game have dropped from 5th in the league last season to just 22nd in this one.
The Pistons were 3rd overall in offensive rebounds per game last season but have plummeted to just 25th this season.
There is no reason to panic, as these numbers should return to the norm when Duren gets back and everyone is in their natural position, but it shows how reliant the Pistons are on Duren and that they are currently one rolled ankle away from trouble.
The Pistons have no depth behind Paul Reed
The Pistons were fortunate the last two seasons to have the best center trio in the NBA, as third stringer Paul Reed (last season) would start on some teams.
After losing Isaiah Stewart, little used reserve Tolu Smith got bumped into that role, which suddenly matters with Duren out with an injury, as Detroit is one Reed injury away from having Smith as the starting center. Yikes.
Smith is known for his rebounding, but he’s racked up about as many fouls as boards this season and offers nothing on offense, so if the Pistons had to turn to him for minutes, it would be a serious problem.
Do the Pistons need to add another center?
I don’t think we’re at the point where the Pistons have to add a veteran center, but if Duren’s injury lingers, it might be something to consider.
Most teams don’t have a quality third center, so it’s not like the Pistons are alone here, but hamstring injuries generally take forever to fully heal, and Detroit is on a razor’s edge with Paul Reed as their only reliable big man.
The rebounding issues should be sorted as soon as Jalen Duren steps back on the floor, so the early numbers aren’t that concerning, but if he has to miss significant time, or the Pistons suffer another injury, they could be looking at a serious rebounding question without an obvious answer on the roster.
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