One month into the 2025-2026 NBA season, and the Detroit Pistons are already showing dominance in the East. While this could mainly be due to the blossoming of Cade Cunningham as a legit superstar in the league, many would argue that part of their success is thanks to Jalen Duren. While it’s still way too early to tell, this might just be the season when Duren breaks out and may even be considered as an All-Star or the Most Improved Player of the year.
Detroit Is Seeing a Super Improved Jalen Duren This Season
Although it’s still early and the sample size is too small, Duren has already surpassed expectations. The 13th overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft, who had just turned 22 years old a few days ago, is currently averaging career-best 20.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while also shooting an efficient 71.4% true shooting percentage (7th best in the NBA). Despite being one of the relatively smaller centers of the league, Duren is ranked 5th in the league in terms of offensive rebound rate with 14.8 and 4.3 offensive rebounds per game. He also happens to be in the top 5 players with the highest PER this season.
The Pistons, now 15-2 after winning 13 straight games, are seeing a much better and more versatile Duren this year. Not only is the 4-year veteran a scary offensive force in the paint with his 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame, but Duren has also always been intimidating on defense—ever since he entered the NBA. Moreover, he’s improved his free-throw shooting to 75.7% this season.
Duren Is Already in All-NBA and Most Improved Player of the Year Discussions
The 22-year-old big man isn’t just going to be an All-Star this season if he continues dominating night in and night out. At this rate, logging double-doubles each game and helping the Detroit Pistons seal the top seed in the East would secure Duren’s spot, not just in the All-Star game, but also in the All-NBA or All-Defensive teams.
In addition, Duren is already an MIP candidate after severely bumping up his numbers in less than a year. Although it’s a bit of an overstatement, if Duren consistently puts up 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block per game, there’s a high chance that the Pistons will award him with a max or near-max contract next summer. Lastly, a young and up-and-coming Duren is already putting his foot in the door of the top 5 centers discussion next season, surpassing the likes of Rudy Gobert, Jarrett Allen, Bam Adebayo, and Iviza Zubac.
But, once again, it is still too early to say that Jalen Duren will truly break out as a star in his fourth year. However, the future is bright in Motor City, and with a duo like Cunningham and Duren, and a superb supporting cast of young talents, the Pistons are already on their way to reaching greater heights this season.
