The Toronto Raptors are watching the NBA Playoffs from home after losing a thrilling seven-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now that Cleveland is facing the Detroit Pistons, Toronto’s front office should be watching that series closely.
Detroit’s starting center, Jalen Duren, is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, and he would address several of Toronto’s biggest weaknesses. The 22-year-old averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds during the regular season.
It was a breakout campaign that helped propel Detroit to 60 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. He is going to get serious All-NBA and All-Defense consideration.
How would Jalen Duren help Toronto?
The Raptors finished the season ranked 24th in rebounding. Adding Duren, who finished near the top of the league in rebounds per game during the regular season, would be a huge boost to that weakness.
Duren would address those rebounding concerns while fitting perfectly with this team’s culture. He is a defensive monster, finishing 11th in defensive win shares. His athleticism also allows him to be one of the best transition centers in the league. At 22 years old, he fits the Raptors’ young core’s timeline.
Why would the Pistons let Duren walk in free agency?
The answer to this question is simple: money. Duren is young and possibly turning into one of the best centers in the league. He is, however, still a flawed player.
Duren is a total non-shooter from outside, and his 74.7% free throw shooting is only passable. He is also having a dismal postseason, averaging 10.4 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Centers who cannot shoot and have trouble defending in space have a history of being played off the floor in the postseason. Toronto just witnessed this with Jakob Poeltl. A rookie-scale max extension would pay Duren 25% of the team’s salary cap. That is a devastating number if that player gets played off the floor in a playoff series.
Is Duren worth the risk?
Due to Toronto’s high payroll, signing Duren would likely require a sign-and-trade involving Poeltl’s massive contract. Together, those moves would likely require multiple first-round picks to complete. This would be a home run swing by Bobby Webster.
I still believe that if the opportunity presents itself, Toronto should take the risk. Duren would provide Toronto with a frontcourt of Barnes, Murray-Boyles, and Duren. The offense would be cramped, but good luck scoring on those defensive leviathans.
It is rare that a team has an opportunity to obtain a 22-year-old, All-NBA caliber player. If Toronto has the chance, they need to jump at it. Duren is eight years younger than Poeltl and considerably more athletic. He could provide many of the same benefits, but with a much higher ceiling. That is exactly the kind of risk Toronto should be willing to take.
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