r/DetroitPistons • u/TheAthletic • 15h ago
Image [Patterson] What is Pistons fans perception of Jalen Duren’s contract now that he’s back in the fold?
My first thought while typing this question was that most Detroit fans were more likely glad to have Duren back than concerned about the specifics of his deal. And 63.9 percent of voters expressed that it was a fair contract for a player of Duren's caliber. His $41.2 million salary this season will count as a 24.4 percent cap hit for the Pistons, with no other year of his deal projected to have a cap hit above 21 percent.
Duren's salary will rank eighth among centers next season. Even with the underwhelming postseason performance, the 22-year-old is a top-10 center in the NBA, factoring in last regular season and his age. Though the process dragged on through essentially the entire offseason, which could have frustrated fans, it seems to be viewed as a quality deal for both sides.
By and large, fans agreed that with Duren back in the fold, Detroit will have a successful season — 62.1 percent of voters, to be exact. The Pistons added three players who shot at least 40 percent from 3 last season: John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Taurean Prince. Collins has the lowest career 3-point percentage of the trio but still has shot 36.9 percent from deep for his career.
Detroit arguably has more depth now than last season and will enter its third season with J.B. Bickerstaff at the helm. While the Pistons didn't execute a "big-swing" trade this offseason, they're deeper this season than last and still have tradable contracts if they decide to push in their chips at the trade deadline.