Why Jalen Duren’s $200 Million Deal Isn’t Enough to Make the Pistons Better

The Detroit Pistons signed center Jalen Duren to a $200 million contract extension just hours before the qualifying offer deadline, ending a four-month standoff. Writer Abdulqudus Babatunde argues that while extending the 22-year-old All-Star was sensible, the massive deal does not address Detroit's underlying roster shortcomings heading into the new season.

Babatunde highlights that the Pistons still lack a proven secondary creator alongside Cade Cunningham after losing Tobias Harris to the San Antonio Spurs. Additionally, trading Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies weakened the team's defensive identity, leaving major unresolved issues despite Duren's extension.