It’s no secret that Jalen Duren hasn’t been having an amazing postseason. In fact, it’s almost been documented too much. However, though there are some people who have overreacted to Duren’s poor performance so far this postseason, it has highlighted the potential need for the Pistons to add another backup big man this summer.
Should Duren repeat his postseason woes next year, the Pistons need to have a better backup plan. Another big man who can give them quality minutes. A guy JB Bickerstaff can trust to roll out for 25 minutes or more, and perhaps even take over some of Duren’s duties late in the game.
Right now, the Pistons don’t have that guy.
Pistons need to find better backup center behind Jalen Duren
This isn’t to knock Isaiah Stewart, who enjoyed a solid regular season, especially on the defensive end of the court. But so far in the playoffs, despite some solid performances, he hasn’t been able to play huge minutes consistently.
Paul Reed has also been solid at times, but clearly not solid enough for Bickerstaff to trust him to play heavy minutes at this point in the playoffs. Up to this point in the postseason, Reed’s playoff high in minutes is 10:45.
That leaves a massive hole at the center position behind Durent, who, again, has not been the same player he was in the regular season. And that’s a problem the Pistons need to address.
Some people are taking it too far. Duren was still an All-Star this season. He’s still a very talented player. In no world should the Pistons consider letting him go this summer, and even trading him seems a step too far.
However, Detroit does need to find a guy to trust with heavy backup minutes once the playoffs come around. The question is, where should they go to find that player?
Perhaps another pick-and-roll big man could solve the issue, replicating a part of what Duren brings to the table next to Cade Cunningham. A guy like Houston Rockets big man Steven Adams could work, even though he’s coming off an injury.
Or maybe the Pistons would want a floor-spacing big to give them a mix-up from the guys they already have. Maybe someone like Myles Turner or Sandro Mamukelashvilli.
There are no perfect options. No All-Star-caliber guys. But the Pistons should definitely target a quality backup who can help alleviate some potential future struggles that Duren may face in playoff runs to come.
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