A few players from the 2022 draft class have already signed their rookie extensions, but Jabari Smith Jr’s recent deal might have properly set the market for the Detroit Pistons going forward.
How much are non-stars worth for the Detroit Pistons?
Smith is reportedly signing an extension for five years and $122 million. The previous players from that draft class who have signed extensions already - Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams - clearly have all-NBA potential but Smith represents the next tier of player, one who can be a very good starter on a team with deep playoff aspirations but is not himself a star.
For his career, Smith averages 13 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. No matter how you look at it, he is not the star player that a team would build around. However, he has settled comfortably into a 3&D role in the last couple of seasons. He has increased his 3-point percentage to 36 percent in the last two seasons compared to under 31 percent in his rookie season, and has really honed in on the defensive end. All in all, he has become a very good role player.
Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey arguably fall in the same tier of player as Smith. Duren averaged about 12 points and 10 rebounds last season while improving on defense and has settled into a good role as a play finisher for Cade Cunningham and rebounding anchor.
Jaden Ivey looked to be on the verge of a breakout season into a bigger role, averaging 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting over 40 percent from three before having his season cut short by injury. However, with the uncertainty regarding Ivey’s injury and his fit with the rest of the young core, especially Ausar Thompson, Smith’s contract could be a good benchmark for his next extension too.
We’ve covered before how Ivey and Duren can both point to other contracts around the league for players at their same positions as contract benchmarks. However, I think the most accurate comparison will be a player from the same draft class making a similar level of contribution to the team.
Although Jabari Smith Jr is a forward, his contract will likely be the best barometer of what the Pistons feel comfortable offering Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey at initial negotiations.