Fans of the Detroit Pistons hope that all is well that ends well for Jalen Duren now that his contract standoff is over.
Duren is coming off a breakout campaign, and he is expected to move past the offseason brouhaha and deliver solid numbers and carry emotional maturity in his fifth year.
The 22-year-old Duren made his preseason debut on Wednesday, helping the Pistons beat the Timberwolves, 128-106, at Target Center. He had a game-high 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting, three rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block in 15 minutes.
His new partner in the frontcourt, John Collins, was thrilled to play with Duren.
“It’s gonna be fun. He’s coming out, obviously, with a purpose tonight to do his thing. Just excited to get more reps with him and continue to play great basketball,” said Collins.
“Getting down into the paint, getting fouls, getting easy buckets at the rim, always makes our time easier on the court.”
John Collins on playing with Jalen Duren
“It’s gonna be fun. He’s coming out with a purpose tonight to do his thing. Just excited to get more reps with him.” pic.twitter.com/anVMdUQptI
— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) October 15, 2026
Collins had 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 20 minutes.
The high-leaping forward has looked good in his first season with the Pistons, providing energy, toughness, and athleticism on both ends.
Recently, Collins received a reminder from Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors about playing the role of enforcer following the trade of Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Collins, Duren, Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Duncan Robinson, Paul Reed, Isaiah Joe, Kevin Huerter, and Daniss Jenkins will lead the rotation, as Detroit tries to retain its top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons will close out their preseason on Friday against the Toronto Raptors.
The post Pistons’ John Collins gets 100% about outlook alongside Jalen Duren appeared first on ClutchPoints.
