Jalen Duren was eligible to sign an extension from his rookie contract this offseason with the Detroit Pistons.
Duren didn't go for Detroit's offer, though. He bet on himself.
That choice is paying off.
The Pistons are going to be on the hook for a lot more money after the season if Duren continues to play anywhere near the level he's at right now, in which he looks like one of the best few centers on the planet.
"There was virtually no talk of Duren and Detroit getting a deal done heading into the league's rookie extension deadline on Oct. 20, with sources saying at the time the two sides were pretty far apart in price," ESPN's Tim Bontemps wrote on Friday. "Duren has responded with the best month of his career, not only with career highs in points (20.6) and rebounds (11.9) per game, but also a significant defensive improvement. Duren, after allowing 62% shooting at the rim last season, is down to 53% this season. That has led to league insiders putting him firmly in the running for Most Improved Player -- and projecting a nice payday when he becomes a restricted free agent in July."
The Pistons may have wondered this offseason who their long-term running mate for Cade Cunningham would be.
Right now, Duren is making it clear that it's him.
He's showing off an improved game off the dribble while maintaining his monstrous presence on the glass.
Duren may not be a 3-point shooter, but other than that, he's a force.
The Pistons will certainly feel less bad about paying him if it means he's developed into a rising superstar. And that appears to be what's happening.
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