Jalen Duren’s Las Vegas Summer League debut in July highlighted why the Detroit Pistons rated him a top-five player in the 2022 draft — and were thrilled to trade for him after he was selected 13th overall.
The Pistons’ first bucket of that game against the Portland Trail Blazers was an alley-oop from Jaden Ivey to Duren. His game is loud. The athletic, 6-foot-10 center had several emphatic blocks and dunks. His second jump is quicker than many players’ first. He’s still raw, but his motor and athleticism alone made him an impactful player.
His energy is carrying over to training camp this week, as his teammates have been impressed with his defensive presence and shot-blocking ability.
“It’s going to be exciting, just having Jalen, a great shot-blocker,” said Hamidou Diallo, one of Detroits’ best finishers at the rim, at media day. “He’s caught me a few times. That says a lot.”
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“He definitely can play, definitely get minutes out there,” said Isaiah Stewart, who has been in Duren’s ear throughout camp. “He’ll learn with those minutes, especially at that young age. Him playing is just going to benefit him. From playing against him in practice and playing with him, he can definitely get out there and play.”
It remains to be seen how many minutes will be available for Duren once the season begins. Still only 18, Duren is the youngest player in the NBA and plays a position the Pistons are deep at, even after trading Kelly Olynyk to Utah last week. He’ll be competing with Stewart, Marvin Bagley III and Nerlens Noel for minutes at center.
The coaching staff has signaled that they won’t be as tolerant of youthful mistakes as they were last season. Competitiveness is the goal this season, and the veteran depth on the roster should make it easier for coach Dwane Casey to adjust minutes based on who’s playing well. Duren will play, but his path to playing nightly could be difficult.
Time with the Motor City Cruise appears to be a possibility, as the Pistons haven’t ruled out any of their recent draft picks getting reps in the G League. No Pistons first-rounder has played for the Cruise yet, but Duren is open to it.
“I haven’t heard too much about it, but whatever they need,” Duren said. “I’m here to develop and grow as a player, to be the best player I can be. Whatever route they feel will help me best, I’m all for taking it.”
Duren produced highlights in Las Vegas, but his performance also showed areas for growth. He averaged just 3.3 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game — less than you’d expect for an athletic center. Casey isn’t concerned that rebounding will be an issue, but it’s something he can work on.
“In the last couple of days, he’s been working out, playing one on one, he’s been going after everything, getting after all the rebounds,” Casey said Wednesday. “I think that comes. I think it’s tentative as much as anything else. He had a good day today, rebounding. The timing, understanding spacing, understanding how quick that DHO (dribble-handoff option) will close up, and just all those little nuances that all rookies make, is what he’s learning right now.”
The Pistons won’t rush Duren’s growth this season, but long-term expectations are high. He gives the franchise a young, athletic, defensive-minded center — which it hasn’t had in recent seasons. Casey has compared him to a player he coached as an assistant with the Seattle Supersonics — Shawn Kemp, known for his ferocious dunks.
“He’s young but very talented,” Casey said. “Love him. He’s going to be a jewel for this city for a long time, and his athleticism, growing into the game. To his lucky star, he has Isaiah Stewart to go against every day, Marvin Bagley, watching those guys, going against those guys in practice will help him grow tremendously. Really excited about the two young guys we brought in. Just getting those guys minutes and growth and those types of things is going to be important.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa.
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