Are Pistons Right for Holding on Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren Deals?

With the deadline for contract extensions approaching in just days, neither Jaden Ivey nor Jalen Duren has reached a new deal with the Detroit Pistons, and according to reports from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, an extension is unlikely before the next offseason due to a lack of momentum in negotiations. This aligns with the Pistons' quiet offseason approach, making the situation unsurprising.

For Jaden Ivey, delaying the extension appears to be a prudent move by the Pistons, as he has faced multiple injuries, including a recent procedure unrelated to his January injury, raising concerns about his health. Despite showing significant improvement last season with averages of 17.6 points, 46% field goal shooting, and a 40% three-point shooting rate—a 7% increase from beyond the arc—his sample size was small, playing only 30 games. The Pistons likely want to assess his knee recovery, see if he can maintain his performance over a full season, and evaluate him in playoff settings, as he lacks postseason experience.

Jalen Duren's situation differs slightly, as he played 78 games last season and contributed to the team's playoff run, averaging 33.8 minutes in six games against the New York Knicks. He proved himself as a starting-caliber center with averages of 11.8 points, 69% field goal shooting, 66% free-throw accuracy, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in his third year. However, questions about his lack of versatility and shooting range persist, especially with rumors of the Pistons' interest in other players, which could influence their decision on his role and extension.

The Pistons have until the start of the next week to finalize their decisions on both players, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of their health, performance consistency, and fit within the team's future plans.