Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren did not reach a rookie-scale extension with the team before last month’s deadline, meaning he’s set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
However, his early-season performance is quickly increasing his market value – capped by a career-best showing in Mexico City.
Against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Duren erupted for a career-high 33 points on 13-of-16 shooting, while also recording 10 rebounds, two assists, and a block.
Through the early part of the 2025–26 season, the 21-year-old big man is averaging 17.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, solidifying himself as one of the league’s most productive young centers.
“I mean, he’s such a beast. He makes me look good,” teammate Cade Cunningham said, via The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson. “He makes my job easy.”
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff echoed that sentiment, praising Duren’s energy and dominance in the paint.
“Domination,” Bickerstaff said. “He was phenomenal at putting pressure on the rim. He ran the floor; he scored in a bunch of different ways. (He was) working the offensive boards. He dominated the interior.”
Fourth-year center Jalen Duren had a career night on Saturday, plus more notes on the Pistons. https://t.co/vduixGmLZI
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 4, 2025
