Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Palace of Pistons Weekly Drive. Detroit’s preseason rolls on, the Jalen Duren saga has come to a dubious conclusion, and we’re learning more about the rotation. Let’s get into it.
Jalen Duren Re-Signs
It’s been a few weeks since it happened, but starting center Jalen Duren signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million extension to remain in the Motor City. That brings to conclusion one of the more puzzling situations in the NBA this past offseason.
How we got to this point is full of peaks and valleys, and sometimes a ditch or two.
During the regular season, Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on 65% shooting, was named an All-Star, and then selected to the All-NBA Third-Team. He looked like one of the game’s blossoming young centers and, at absolute worst, Detroit’s third-best player.
But in the playoffs, those numbers plummeted to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on 51% shooting, all while getting owned by Wendell Carter Jr. The second round against Cleveland was even worse (9.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game). The Pistons needed seven games to squeak by eight-seed Orlando and got pummeled in Game 7 against the deceptively weak Cavaliers.
Duren disappeared, and that 14-game stretch sent a lot of worry not only through the organization, but across the fanbase as well. Getting outplayed is one thing, but being an active detriment while out on the court is another.
Then the two sides enter an inexplicable contractual Cold War.
The stalemate between Duren’s representation and the front office had been ongoing for months. Duren’s camp wanted a max extension in the $40-million per year range, while the Pistons were lukewarm and offered in the 30’s. Silence. Then there was a rumor of a weight-clause added by Detroit to make sure Duren didn’t loaf it up after getting the bag, only to then be removed in the end. The Pistons reportedly called Duren the team’s fourth-best player during negotiations, further souring the relationship.
Sitting next to President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon, Duren had a lot to say during his press conference. "I am a Detroit Piston,” Duren said. “I want to be a Detroit Piston for life. I want to give everything I’ve got to the Pistons and the fans." Endearing to the fans, certainly, but it is hard not to feel slightly uneasy.
But at least its over, and everyone can move on.
Preseason Musings
Game 1: Phoenix 107, Detroit 109
The highlight came from rookie Ebuka Okorie nailed the game-winning layup, but the Pistons played from behind for most of the game and had to fight their way back. One interesting wrinkle? Ausar Thompson led a third-quarter unit alongside Isaiah Joe, Kevin Huerter, John Collins, and Paul Reed. Thompson hit a few mid-range jumpers, had some good finishes at the rim, and added a steal and a block.
Game 2: Detroit 108, Washington 114
Thompson and Reed fouled out (?), then Daniss Jenkins was ejected (??), leaving Okorie to the the team’s primary scorer. He responded with a team-high 14 points in 27 minutes. It was a rough shooting night for Detroit in general, hitting just 36.8% from the field and 25% from deep. Chaz Lanier, who may be playing some real minutes this season, hit a couple of big threes in overtime, too (he also had two crucial turnovers, as well).
Have you been watching any preseason basketball? Who has stood out to you the most? Okorie certainly has some juice out of the backcourt and will quickly endear himself to fans, making him an early winner for me. And don’t forget to check out the Palace of Pistons Podcast for more coverage.