Jalen Duren is clearly going to be key to the Detroit Pistons taking another leap and reaching the level of a real championship contender next season. No one is more aware of this than Duren himself, who as many may remember, openly called himself out for not starting last season strong.
"I think it's pretty obvious I started the season slow, on some soft s---," he said after a win over the Charlotte Hornets in February. "I had to hold myself accountable and knowing how I can impact the game and do it every single night."
That slow start from last season he spoke of is going to provide plenty of motivation for him to improve and come out of the gate strong in 2025-26, but really, it's only part of the equation here. There's a couple of other reasons why Pistons fans may be in for a treat when it comes to Duren's development next season.
The next of which being the overall expectations placed on not just Jalen, but the entire team as well. Coming into the 2024-25 season, basically everyone outside of Michigan expected Detroit to be a bottom-feeder in the Eastern Conference once again. Now that they've already won 44 games and gone back to the playoffs, there's going to be something of a target on their backs.
The expectations are increasing for Jalen Duren
People are going to assume the Pistons will be a playoff team, and they're going to expect Duren to take that next step up and be the kind of interior force he's capable of being. That comes with the territory, and it's every bit more reason for Jalen to continue leveling up his game.
Lastly, personal expectations always go side-by-side with contract situations. The Pistons exercised their club option on Duren for the 2025-26 season, but he doesn't currently have a new deal set up beyond that. That alone is typically enough reason for any player to put up a star-studded season, and especially if you're in Jalen's situation where you're still playing out your rookie deal.
It's pretty easy to see why things are lining up for Detroit's young big to have a career year next season, and the Pistons are going to need it. The biggest area of progression we're going to have to see from Duren is on defense. For Detroit to become a legitimate threat in the postseason, he's going to have to unlock something there and continually put in more effort.
The good thing is, the potential and raw talent is there. Pistons fans know Jalen Duren can become what he's capable of becoming, and the possibilities that would create for this team is more than exciting.