Detroit Pistons: Bickerstaff Forecasts Jalen Duren Playmaking From The Elbow

Although the Detroit Pistons put their 2026-27 campaign into motion with a 109-107 preseason victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, All-Star center Jalen Duren watched his team’s comeback win from the bench. Since JD signed his five-year deal just a week ago, the Pistons are proceeding cautiously as they ramp up the big man’s activity, but head coach J.B. Bickerstaff mentioned that his return isn’t too far off. 

While Detroit is yet to announce the details on Duren’s debut this season, the 22-year old is going to be a huge factor in the Pistons’ success moving forward. The organization views Duren as one of their foundational pillars from a team-building standpoint, and they paid the All-NBA Third-Teamer as such this offseason, which means all that’s left is for the Memphis product to deliver when the lights flip on. 

For JD specifically, the biggest test will come in the postseason after his productivity cratered in Detroit’s most recent playoff run, and that’s ultimately how his contract will be judged given its fully guaranteed $200 million price tag. Despite that reality, both Duren and the Pistons are looking to grow from their playoff experience, and Bickerstaff has already plotted how to utilize the big man’s talent in a more effective way as he enters his fifth year in the NBA. 

”I think that’s where the next step is for him, and I think that’s some of the things that we’ve kind of implemented over the years is understanding just how good of a passer he is and what it looks like when you put the ball in his hands at the elbows,” Bickerstaff told Eric Vincent of ClutchPoints. “Now you’ve got shooting all around him and cutters all around him. He’s really good at facilitating those actions and creating for other people.”

Duren finished in second place for the Most Improved Player award last season, and much of his growth could be tied to his ability to win isolation matchups ranging from the elbow to the low post. Duren’s expanded arsenal of post moves led to another season above the 65% field goal threshold, so the Pistons center remained efficient while reaching the bucket in more versatile ways as a roll man. 

From a stylistic standpoint, both Duren and Cade Cunningham repeatedly made defenses pay from their work in the two-man game. Cunningham has a penchant for hitting JD just as he breaks to the basket for well-placed lobs and entry passes, which allows the Detroit big to finish plays at the high level he’s known for. 

If Duren could develop a consistent mid-range jumper to incorporate alongside his other skills, the Pistons could easily wind up as one of the squad’s competing for the top seed in the Eastern Conference once April rolls around. But in the meantime, Detroit will continue to prep Duren for his first taste of preseason action with the Pistons set to face the Washington Wizards on the road on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 pm.