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Jalen Duren is back on the practice court with the Detroit Pistons after a brief absence. The young center missed the first week of training camp while finalizing contract negotiations, but he has now participated in three consecutive days of workouts at the Henry Ford Health Pistons Performance Center.
Although Duren's late arrival has set him slightly behind in grasping Detroit's new system, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff indicated that the team will be patient in bringing him up to speed. Bickerstaff revealed that the coaching, medical, and front office staffs have devised a plan to ensure Duren is ready for the Pistons' season opener against the Boston Celtics on October 20.
Duren did not play in the Pistons' 109-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, making him the only player to sit out. There is no set timeline for his preseason debut, but Bickerstaff expects to have his star big man back on the court soon.
"The plan is definitely for him to play in the preseason," Bickerstaff said. "It's just one of those things where we will be cautious about how he is feeling. Going from a summer workout to an NBA game, regardless, even if it is a preseason game, you want to be aware of his body and the work he is putting in, making sure that he is safe and feeling okay."
Despite missing the first week of camp, Duren returned in excellent shape. He dedicated the offseason to refining every aspect of his game, aiming to become a more complete player and sustain his production for years to come. That motivation stemmed from last year's playoff struggles, where he averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over 14 postseason games.
Even though communication with Duren was limited during the offseason, he still managed to work with several Pistons coaches during his individual sessions. "He has done a really good job of making small improvements all around," Bickerstaff said. "He appears to be faster and more explosive. His face-up game and work around the basket have improved as well. Defensively, he is in his right spots. He is switchable and able to guard smaller guys. He has looked really good."
Bickerstaff is confident that reintegrating Duren into the system before the 2026-27 season will be seamless, given his significant role in the team's success over the past two seasons. The 22-year-old was instrumental in the Pistons' 60-win campaign last season, posting career highs in multiple categories. He recorded 41 double-doubles and averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 70 games. His stellar play earned him his first All-Star selection in February, and in May, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team while finishing third in Most Improved Player of the Year voting.
"The vibes have been great; J.D. came in and immediately brought the energy," Ausar Thompson said. "It was almost like he has never left. It's almost like I don't even remember when he wasn't here, honestly."
Originally reported by yahoo.