The NBA playoffs are lower than a month away, and the Detroit Pistons are hoping to have star Cade Cunningham again earlier than the postseason. Cunningham is out indefinitely with a collapsed lung.
That might price him the remainder of the common season and probably a number of the first spherical of the playoffs. That additionally eliminates him from making All-NBA, although it might open the door for one more Piston.
All-Star Jalen Duren is their second-best participant and among the best younger facilities within the NBA. Whereas he would not usually be in All-NBA rivalry, a number of high-profile stars have all been dominated out from receiving that honor.
Have been that to occur, that may be a possible catastrophe for the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons middle Jalen Duren is not value an excellent max contract
If Duren had been to make All-NBA, he’d be eligible for a $288 million extension this summer season. Whereas he could not obtain that, even when he had been to qualify, it might enhance his leverage in contract negotiations.
Sarcastically, the Pistons entrance workplace seemingly is hoping that Duren does not make All-NBA. It is one factor to pay Cunningham $269 million, however it’s fully one other factor to pay Duren practically $300 million.
Whereas he is an important younger middle, there is no method that he’s value that quantity. Do not get me flawed, Duren is having a robust season, averaging a terrific 19.2 factors on an eye-popping 67.6 true taking pictures share, to go together with 10.5 rebounds.
The Pistons cannot afford two max contracts
He is simply 22 years outdated, making him surprisingly younger for a four-year participant. All that’s to say that he nonetheless has loads of potential however maybe not supermax potential.
Bear in mind, Cunningham will make $53.8 on common over his max contract, whereas Duren would make $57.6 on common on a possible max deal.
In right this moment’s NBA, it is not possible to pay your two greatest gamers $111.4 million when solely certainly one of them is value an precise supermax contract.
Subsequently, discovering widespread floor on an affordable 5-year deal could be for one of the best, particularly for the Pistons. They cannot afford to convey again Duren for anyplace near the max and ought to be hoping he does not make All-NBA.
