The Detroit Pistons are entering the final stretch of their rebuild, showcasing significant improvements with the emergence of Cade Cunningham and strong contributions from seasoned veterans. This new chemistry has translated to a campaign competing for the play-in tournament of the Eastern Conference, yet general manager Trajan Langdon still faces unresolved challenges—most prominently, dealing with Jalen Duren's underwhelming performance.
Despite being the starting center for Detroit, Duren finds himself at the center of trade rumors, particularly as the organization reassesses its lineup. Over his third season, Duren’s minutes have decreased from 29.1 to 24.7 per game, with his negative box plus-minus at -7.8 per 100 possessions making him a target for opposing teams to exploit. Critics have noted his struggles with spacing on the floor, as he has not attempted a single three-point shot this season, which starkly contrasts with the trend of modern big men. Coupled with an average of two turnovers per game, near the bottom among centers, it’s clear why his role is under scrutiny.
On the flip side, Isaiah Stewart, who has stepped up as Duren's immediate substitute, has emerged as a more reliable shooter and defender this season. The Pistons may benefit strategically from trading Duren, potentially enhancing their future draft capital as they continue to build around Cunningham. The Los Angeles Lakers have been mentioned as potential suitors for Duren, who is younger and more economically appealing than other centers the Lakers have pursued recently, like Jonas Valanciunas and Walker Kessler.
While trade discussions swirl, Duren remains part of the Pistons’ roster. Over the course of 26 games this season, he has averaged 9.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, with 1.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Malik Beasley has been nothing short of transformative since joining the Pistons, signing a one-year, $6 million contract after making waves as a shooter with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Beasley’s performance has been pivotal, with him currently on course to smash the franchise record for most three-pointers made in one season. Currently, he boasts 106 three-pointers made—second only to elite shooters like Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum. His movement without the ball has helped facilitate Cunningham’s development as one of the league's top point guards this year. The synergy between these two players has yielded significant benefits, with data indicating they create 6.8 more points per 100 possessions when they share the court.
“We’re also growing off the court,” Beasley stated, highlighting their chemistry. “He participates in my live streams and we’ve gone out for dinner. It’s all about knowing how to position myself after he makes plays.” The duo’s collaboration is showcased by Beasley’s impressive 41.1% three-point shooting percentage, especially when receiving passes from Cunningham, illustrating the reliability Beasley brings when defenses focus on the latter.
If last season was characterized by inconsistency in outside shooting, particularly with Bojan Bogdanovic as the only reliable option, this year sees added depth with shooters like Beasley, Jaden Ivey, and Tim Hardaway Jr. all displaying high percentages. Consequently, this enhanced shooting has enabled Cunningham to achieve record high assist averages. Currently, he is clocking 9.6 assists per game—third best in the league, trailing behind only Nikola Jokic and Trae Young.
“Our playing styles complement each other very well,” Cunningham remarked on playing alongside Beasley. “He moves well as shooter as I initiate the play; it just creates openings.” With Beasley’s scoring contributions from the bench, Cunningham’s role as the team's focal point has become significantly more manageable.
Playing against the Phoenix Suns on December 22, 2024, Cunningham showcased his prowess by leading the Pistons to a thrilling 133-125 victory, highlighted by his clutch three-pointer over Kevin Durant. This high-stakes matchup drew the admiration of Durant, who praised Cunningham post-game, adding to the growing recognition of his talent across the league.
“It's truly an honor to compete against someone like him,” Cunningham expressed. “I’ve trained with him and watching him as I grew up, being on the court with him is incredible.” Durant scored 43 points himself, but it was Cunningham’s night, as he registered 28 points and 13 assists, contributing to what has been described as his breakout season.
The stakes are high for the Pistons as they look to maintain their momentum and piece together their roster for the future of this franchise. The next steps will be nearly as decisive as the recent victories, especially as trade winds begin to circulate around Duren and with Beasley serving as one of the new foundations upon which they can build.
