Bill Simmons Touts Jalen Duren for All-NBA Second Team

The NBA analyst believes the Pistons' young center deserves major recognition.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:24am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting Jalen Duren's powerful basketball plays through overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, capturing the intensity and dynamism of his game.Jalen Duren's relentless energy and physical dominance have made him an indispensable part of the Pistons' future.Memphis Today

NBA analyst Bill Simmons believes Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren deserves a spot on the All-NBA Second Team this season. Simmons praised Duren's dominant play, physical intensity, and continued improvement throughout the year, saying the 22-year-old is one of the most physically imposing players in the league and the emotional leader of the Pistons aside from Cade Cunningham.

Why it matters

An All-NBA selection would provide major validation for Duren's breakout season and give him more leverage in upcoming contract negotiations with the Pistons. At just 22 years old, Duren is already one of the most dominant big men in the NBA and has immense potential for future growth.

The details

Duren is averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 65.0% from the field. Simmons praised Duren's physical intensity and the way he has improved as the season has progressed, saying he is the emotional fulcrum of the Pistons aside from Cade Cunningham.

  • The 2022-23 NBA regular season officially ended in April 2023.

The players

Jalen Duren

A 22-year-old center for the Detroit Pistons who has emerged as one of the most dominant big men in the NBA this season.

Bill Simmons

A prominent NBA analyst and podcaster who believes Duren deserves a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.

Cade Cunningham

The young star guard for the Detroit Pistons who, along with Duren, is considered the emotional leader of the team.

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What they’re saying

“Night after night this guy is 20 and 10. He's one of the physical most scary guys in the league, there's an intensity to him that he has that I think the team feeds off, and I think other than Cade [Cunningham], he's the guy on this team. The emotional fulcrum.”

— Bill Simmons, NBA Analyst

“And I think he's gotten better as the year went along, too.”

— Bill Simmons, NBA Analyst

What’s next

Contract negotiations between the Pistons and Duren are expected to pick up steam this offseason, and an All-NBA selection would only strengthen Duren's bargaining position.

The takeaway

Jalen Duren's breakout season has earned him national recognition, with prominent NBA analyst Bill Simmons advocating for the young Pistons center to be named to the All-NBA Second Team. This would validate Duren's status as one of the league's most dominant big men and give him more leverage in upcoming contract talks with Detroit.