Is Jalen Duren a max player? Pistons have tough offseason questions coming with him, Ausar Thompson.
Duren had a breakout career season, will likely make an All-NBA team, but has struggled in the playoffs.
Last offseason, when the Pistons and Jalen Duren discussed a contract extension, he thought they underestimated his value, and the result was that the sides did not agree to a new deal. Then Duren went out this season and showed them what he was worth: 19. 5 points a game on 65% shooting, plus 10.
5 rebounds while playing elite defense (he was on some Defensive Player of the Year ballots). He is almost certainly going to be an All-NBA player. That led to the expectation Durent had earned a max contract extension this summer, a five-year deal worth at least $239 million, and up to $287 million with that All-NBA nod.
Then the playoffs started. Duren has struggled this postseason, averaging 10. 1 points and 8.
3 rebounds per game when the team needs him most, while his lack of outside shooting has helped clog up the Pistons' offense at times. Things got so bad that coach J. B.