J.B. Bickerstaff says Jalen Duren already looks better in key areas

Jalen Duren was on the bench in street clothes during the Detroit Pistons' preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns. But hours before their 109-107 victory Monday, Oct. 5, at Little Caesars Arena, the big man was spotted at the team's practice facility in Midtown for the first time since he signed

Basketball Zone

SEE ALL

SB Nation

Forget the losses, the Suns’ second unit is stealing the show

SB Nation

Haliburton has happy Hilton Homecoming

SB Nation

Sixers continue building chemistry in preseason play as they head to Brooklyn

What is the story about?

Jalen Duren was on the bench in street clothes during the Detroit Pistons' preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns. But hours before their 109-107 victory Monday, Oct. 5, at Little Caesars Arena, the big man was spotted at the team's practice facility in Midtown for the first time since he signed his new contract.

Duren took turns shooting 3-pointers with fellow centers Paul Reed and Ugonna Onyenso. Duren's form looked tight, and he knocked a few down. It's too early to say if the 3-point shot will be part of Duren's arsenal this season – he has never made one in the NBA (0-for-6) – but it was a glimpse of the work the 22-year-old has been putting in behind-the-scenes.

The Pistons are spending this week getting Duren re-acclimated and ready,

less than seven days after he signed his five-year, $200 million contract last Thursday night and brought an offseason-long standoff to a close. The plan is for him to eventually participate in a preseason game – perhaps as soon as Saturday, when they face the Washington Wizards on the road.

"It’s just one of those things that we’ll always be cautious of is how he’s feeling, and going from a summer workout to an NBA game regardless of if it’s a preseason game, you want to be aware of his body and the work that he’s putting in and making sure that we’re safe and that he’s feeling OK," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the team's practice on Wednesday. "The plan is definitely for him to play in preseason."

During his press conference on Sunday, Duren revealed he spent the offseason "tightening up everything," including conditioning and shot mechanics. Even after a breakout season during which he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65% overall shooting, there's room for him to take on a bigger role and expand his toolkit.

Only six NBA players averaged at least 10 points on 65% shooting last season. Of the six, only Duren averaged more than 15 points per game. Then-Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, who played just five games, was second with 14.4 points, and then-Los Angeles Lakers big man Deandre Ayton was third with an average of 12.5.

Duren was uniquely efficient as a go-to offensive weapon, and the expectation is he'll be even better entering Year 5. Bickerstaff says he already senses a better Duren.

"It’s one of those things that he’s done a really good job of making small improvements all around," Bickerstaff said. "He appears to be faster, more explosive. His face-up game has improved. His work around the basket has improved as well. Defensively, being in his right spots, being switchable and being able to guard smaller guys so far. He’s been really good."

Duren on Sunday laid out some goals for himself this season.

"I would say to create my own shot, I would say defending at a high level – pick-and-roll – defending the rim at a high level," Duren said. "It’s going to sound cliché but just doing what my team needs me to do. I try to put myself in positions to be versatile and used in different ways so you never have to put me in a box or put me in one specific place. I try to be a tool that my coaches and my teammates can use to do anything. That’s what I’ve been working on all summer, trying to sharpen all aspects of my game, like I said."

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, left, and guard Duncan Robinson laugh on the bench during the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

The team missed Duren's presence on both ends of the floor on Monday – the Suns dominated the offensive glass during the first half, and the Pistons missed his scoring production. They trailed 68-50 at halftime while shooting just 37.2% overall.

Bickerstaff noted it typically takes longer for the offense to click in preseason than the defense, and said some "new things and new concepts" have been introduced. The next step is watching and learning from the film and taking it to the court.

Duren's return will only help in that area.

[ MUST WATCH: Check out the full episode below. Make "The Pistons Pulse" your go-to Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live on YouTube. ]