Detroit Pistons are no. 1 in the Eastern Conference and it is only right that Cade Cunningham received the Starting Five nod for the upcoming All-Star Game. But of course, he’s not doing that alone, Another huge part in their leap this season is Jalen Duren.
Top teams usually get two All-Stars in the February festivities although that is not usually the case. Should Duren get his first ever All-Star game? A former franchise center thinks so.
Talking at the Run it Back show, DeMarcus Cousins thinks Pistons’ 22-year-old center should have an ASG slot locked to himself. He made the comment while talking to his co-hosts and former NBA players Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams about Duren.
“To piggyback off of that, you talk about the attributes he has as a player,” Cousins said.
“Everything you just mentioned, facts. But the fact that he can play with the ball in his hands, he can create his own offense, he can put the ball on the floor and he can even shoot it a little bit. So, this kid has a lot of potential. He’s not a finished product. His future is really, really bright.”
They all endorsed Duren to be included in Team USA in future international tournaments.
Jalen Duren’s bright future includes the starting center spot for Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in LA 👀🇺🇸🤩
Do you agree with Chandler & Boogie? pic.twitter.com/yrnTlK8YnP
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 20, 2026
Jalen Duren in All-Star voting
Duren is not even in the Top 10 in the Eastern Conference in terms of weighted score although media recognized what he is doing today. He is ranked no. 9 in terms of media votes.
Fan votes is also not that kind as he only ranked 23rd with 252,532 votes. Cunningham is ranked no. 1 in player votes while Duren is ranked 30th. The fourth straight games he missed during the voting days might be suspect.
Good thing for him, these votes don’t matter anymore as the reserver list will be determined by coaches. What he needs to do is stay healthy and keep up what he’s doing.
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