Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
Duren progressing as Pistons weigh preseason return
Detroit center Jalen Duren is progressing after arriving late to training camp following a contract dispute.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has not decided whether Duren will play in Wednesday’s preseason game at Minnesota.
The Pistons say they are being cautious, although Duren has passed the tests the team set for him.
If he does not play Wednesday, his last preseason chance will be Friday at home against Toronto.
Duren agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract on October 1, shortly before his qualifying offer was due to expire.
New teammate John Collins expects their athleticism to help in the paint, and said Duren’s vision should make them enjoyable to play together.
Ausar Thompson is also being given chances to run the offense as Detroit looks for him to contribute on both ends.
Tolu Smith, the team’s third-string center, has played more in the preseason while Duren has been unavailable.
Jalen Duren has made progress since joining the Detroit Pistons’ training camp late after a summer contract dispute.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has not committed to playing Duren in Wednesday’s preseason game against Minnesota.
Bickerstaff said Duren has passed the tests the team set for him, while stressing that the team is being cautious.
If Duren does not play Wednesday, Friday’s home game against Toronto will be his final preseason chance.
Duren agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract on October 1.
- Who
- Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons.
- What
- Duren is progressing, but the team has not decided whether he will play in a preseason game.
- When
- The report was published October 13, 2026; the Minnesota game is Wednesday, with Toronto on Friday.
- Where
- Detroit’s preseason game against Minnesota is in Minnesota; the Friday game is in Detroit.
- Why
- The Pistons are being cautious about Duren’s return after he joined camp late following a summer-long contract dispute.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Duren remained unsigned as a restricted free agent while seeking an increased offer from the Pistons.
Duren accepted a five-year, $200 million contract, hours before the team’s qualifying offer was set to expire.
Hoops Rumors reported that Duren was progressing, but Bickerstaff had not committed to playing him Wednesday.
Detroit is scheduled to play a preseason game at Minnesota, which could be Duren’s return opportunity.
If Duren does not play against Minnesota, Detroit’s home game against Toronto is his final preseason chance.
- Contract
- Five years, $200 million
- Contract accepted
- October 1
- Minnesota game
- Wednesday, away
- Toronto game
- Friday, at home in Detroit
- Coach
- J.B. Bickerstaff
What people are saying
We’re just being cautious and making sure we don’t put him in a compromising position.
But he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s been able to pass all the tests.
With our athleticism, our ability to dominate the paint, I feel like it’s going to be fun to play with JD.
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Asked J.B. Bickerstaff how Jalen Duren is progressing and if he’s on track to play tomorrow: “We’re just being cautious and making sure we don’t put him in a compromising position. But he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s been able to pass all the tests.”
Sources
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