Although Jalen Durena new five-year, $200 million contract with Pistons was technical signature on Friday, the team did not publicly announce the news until issuing a press release on Saturday afternoon (Link to Twitter).
“We are very excited to have Jalen in Detroit as a core part of our team for many years to come”, president of basketball operations Troyan Langdon said. “He’s been a big part of our success over the last two seasons and we’ve seen a huge rise in his game.
“Jalen has accomplished a lot at a young age and we believe his best basketball is yet to come. We are proud of his work and look forward to his continued growth and impact on our team.”
Duren helped Detroit win an Eastern Conference-best 60 games last season, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 65.0% from the field and 74.7% from the foul line in 70 games (28.2 minutes per game). He was named to his first All-Star team and also claimed a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.
Here’s more from Central:
- Veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr signed a two-year, $16 million contract with Pacers it’s the offseason. He said he’s mastered the team’s fast-paced system pretty well in the first few days of training camp, Tony East of Circle City Spin. “Every day is a learning process. It will be like this all year. But one thing I learned: I love it“, – said Oubre. “I like this style of play. I like to thrive in a 0.5 (half second) system and make quick decisions, unselfish basketball. I am delighted. I think that heaven is abroad.” Aubrey also said Indiana’s more laid-back lifestyle appealed to him because he has a growing family.
- How Zion Brown of The Indianapolis Star writes (subscriber link), art Pacers“the rotation of the center looks much different this fall than it did a year ago. After Miles Turner‘s departure in free agency, Pacers roster revealed for 2025 preseason Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman and Tony Bradley everyone is fighting for minutes and roles. This year they are Ivitsa Zubak as the starter, with Hough and Larry Nance Jr offering a completely different view from the bench. Head coach Rick Carlisle suggested that two of the three big men could be used together in certain situations. “(Zubak) starter, it’s pretty simple” Carlisle said Friday.With Larry Nance and Jay Huff, we have two guys that give us real versatility at the position as well. A lot of people don’t remember this, but Jay played around four at times last year and Nance played around four in his career. So if we need a bigger lineup, there’s an opportunity to do that with these guys.”
- Bykov a great man Jalen Smith his 2025/26 season ended early with a calf injury, but he said he is now fully healthy, according to Will Gottlieb of CHGO Bulls (Link to Twitter). “It was a lift within minutes on my body” said Smith, who averaged 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in a career-high 20.7 minutes per game in 53 games last season.I haven’t fully prepared my body for this…But this summer the main aspect was being able to prepare myself for it if it happens again.”