Detroit Pistons' training camp starts today and it will be far from a normal affair.
Jalen Duren's holdout has put a dark cloud over camp, and he has until tomorrow to decide whether to take the qualifying offer, accept the $200 million the Pistons have offered or hold out even more.
Duren's absence won't be the only irregularity in Pistons' training camp, as they also have several abnormal battles that will help define the rotation for the season.
Jalen Duren vs. common sense vs. the fans
Duren may not even appear in Pistons' training camp this season. With no deal in hand, it's now entirely possible that this lingers even longer.
Duren is up against a wall here, as the Pistons have now offered him more guaranteed money than any team can next offseason, even if he were to have a great season and get the full max. I've been cheering for Duren to get his money and move on, but if he won't take $200 million, what else can the Pistons do?
The math ain't mathing for Duren, who is going to almost certainly lose money if he takes the QO, so just get your bag and move on.
But even if that happens, Duren will have some bridges to mend with the fans. I don't worry about his teammates, who know the business and support their friend, but Duren will have some work to do to win over fans who are sick of hearing about him being "disrespected" by $200 million. That may not be fair, but it's reality.
Ron Holland II vs. everyone
Ron Holland II was not happy about being left out of the playoff rotation, and I have a feeling he's going to enter camp like a tornado looking to prove himself.
My wager is that Holland is the name we hear most about in training camp, as he is highly motivated and has been putting in endless work all summer. I wouldn't want to be the guy who he is defending in camp because my expectation is that Holland is going to go 100 percent in practice.
Ebuka Okorie vs. Daniss Jenkins
This isn't much of a battle, as Jenkins has this spot wrapped up barring something spectacular from Okorie, who is not likely to crack the rotation too much next season.
But it's rare to have a rookie and a former two-way player battling for a rotation spot in training camp, so the Pistons went with the youth movement here. If Jenkins can't cut it, I would expect the Pistons to address the backup point guard spot.
Duncan Robinson vs. Isaiah Joe vs. Chaz Lanier
The rare 3-way battle! Ok, not really, as the real battle is between Robinson and Joe. Can Joe potentially supplant Robinson in the starting five? I doubt that happens right away, but it will be something to watch over the course of the season.
Lanier isn't going to be in the rotation, but he's got two perfect players to learn from and emulate in training camp, as Robinson and Joe are two of the best movement shooters in the league. Lanier did shoot the lights out in Summer League (not that it matters) so could get a chance down the road if there are injuries or further trades, so this is an important camp for him.
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