Jalen Duren is headed for a big contract extension next summer, but Paul Reed is giving the Pistons leverage to push back in negotiations. Reed has given the Pistons solid minutes in consecutive games against the Cavaliers and Knicks. Along with the excellent Isaiah Stewart, Reed fills out the Pistons center rotation and shows that Duren isn’t needed to win games.
Jalen Duren: max contract or solid starter?
Even without Duren, the Pistons have still been able to rack up wins against top teams in their conference. Stewart and Reed have shown the impact of their incredible defense. Although Duren has better offensive abilities, his backups have been able to fill in the pick-and-roll with Cade Cunningham.
The full depth of the Pistons' roster is coming out in full display amidst recent injuries. Reed is just one of many hidden gems on Detroit's bench. He's always been a talented player with impressive awareness on both ends, but he doesn't get the chance to shine when the Pistons are fully healthy.
The Pistons have great team chemistry behind head coach JB Bickerstaff and Cade as the star, but Reed's emergence does potentially put him at odds with Duren in the team's rotation and future plans. If the Pistons can win games against the best teams without Duren, it'll be hard to justify paying him a huge contract worth over $30 million per season.
Duren is a very talented player with tons of potential, but the role that he fills in the Pistons offense is still replaceable. Although he's shown some self-creation and even passing chops this season, he's essentially a roll man at the end of the day. His athleticism allows him to reach unique alley-oop finishes, but Stewart and Reed are also capable of finishing plays.
As the season has progressed, Duren's impact has cooled off a bit. Earlier in the year, he was averaging over 20 points per game while beating opposing centers off the dribble. He's now down to 18 points per game and has fallen off in some regards, such as his free throw shooting. Duren's odds at awards like Most Improved Player and an All-Star selection seem to be quickly dwindling.
The Pistons are in for a monumental offseason next summer that will shape their future. The fate of Jalen Duren is a huge domino to fall for the Pistons' roster construction. The front office will be hoping that Paul Reed's play can convince Duren to accept a cheaper contract extension and aid in overall team-building efforts. But they will also have to be careful to avoid losing him to another team if they try to negotiate too hard.