Detroit Pistons: Bickerstaff Says Jalen Duren ‘Definitely’ Should Feature In Preseason

During the offseason, the Detroit Pistons were afflicted with a perpetual case of will-he, won’t-he regarding Jalen Duren, but the 22-year old All-Star is ramping up his activity now that he’s signed his five-year, fully guaranteed $200 million deal.

So far, Duren was inactive for the Pistons preseason opener on Monday night, so the big man did not factor into Detroit’s thrilling two-point comeback win over the Phoenix Suns. But according to Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Duren should make his preseason debut sooner rather than later, though an official return date was not mentioned after practice on Wednesday. 

”It’s one of those things that he’s done a really good job of making small improvements all around,” Bickerstaff said. “He appears to be faster and more explosive. His face-up game has improved. His work around the basket has improved as well. Defensively being in the right spots, being switchable and being able to guard smaller guys so far. So, he’s looked really good.”

Last season, JD posted a career year with 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while continuing to operate well above league average for efficiency, but his production cratered as soon as he went up against drop coverage in the postseason. To counter that strategic move, Duren worked on his elbow and mid-range jumper during the offseason so that he’s more prepared to adjust when he faces that type of coverage in the future. 

But without Duren in the lineup on Monday, the Pistons promoted Paul Reed to the starting lineup since Isaiah Stewart is no longer a member of the squad. In just 21 minutes of preseason work, B-Ball Paul nearly racked up a double-double with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block on the night, so the Motown center position was still in good hands despite Duren’s absence. 

Still, the Pistons are a much more dangerous team with Duren operating in the low post when Reed serves as a high-energy substitute off the bench, but Detroit had to adjust the frontcourt depth chart temporarily against the Suns. In fact, John Collins even slid to the five for various small-ball lineups throughout the contest, but the Pistons struggled to rebound defensively in that situation, so the concept is still a work in progress. 

For the rest of the preseason, Bickerstaff confirmed that the plan “definitely” calls for Duren to factor into Detroit’s exhibition slate, but the All-Star coach wouldn’t go as far as naming a date for JD’s return. The Pistons still have a couple more days off before taking the road for a 7 pm matchup against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, so Detroit should have a better idea concerning Duren’s availability when it’s closer to tip-off time. 

The Wizards still have an unblemished preseason record since their exhibition campaign hasn’t started yet, though they’re tabbed to face the New York Knicks on the road on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 pm.