The Pistons could address their need for a secondary scoring star by pursuing Michael Porter Jr., but that move might open up a different set of problems. With Detroit’s roster largely set, the only feasible path to matching Porter’s salary involves packaging Jalen Duren along with several other key contributors. While Porter would supply the additional shot-creation the team clearly lacks, surrendering Duren would also deplete their depth at center entirely.
Detroit can’t afford to part with Duren at this point
Unfortunately, the front office has backed itself into a tricky spot through its offseason maneuvering at the five spot. That started with dealing Isaiah Stewart for a modest return and failing to use available assets to secure a viable replacement. Paul Reed remains on the roster as a capable backup, but the Pistons still heavily rely on Duren to anchor the starting lineup.
Even if Detroit is reluctant to offer Duren the maximum contract he’s seeking, they still need him back as their starter and ideally taking another developmental leap in the upcoming season. At this stage of the offseason, replicating Duren’s output via trade or free agency would be exceptionally difficult without parting with significant assets—just consider what the Lakers had to give up to land a comparable big in Walker Kessler.
Porter Jr. may not present enough upside to justify such a high-stakes gamble
Moreover, if the Pistons were to put Duren on the table, they’d likely expect a stronger return than MPJ. Despite his playoff struggles last season, Duren remains a 22-year-old with considerable untapped potential. He earned an All-Star nod during the regular season on merit, and if he can sustain that standard into future postseasons, Detroit could still make deep playoff runs.
Porter, in contrast, remained outside the All-Star conversation last year, even after averaging 24 points per game for a mediocre Nets team. He shouldered the heaviest creation burden of his career and boosted his scoring output, but his efficiency predictably dipped. In earlier campaigns, he posted up to 18 points per contest for the Nuggets while shooting 50% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc.
Those kinds of numbers might not be sufficient to push the Pistons into clear title contention if they swap Duren for Porter and count on the latter’s playoff production. Porter has yet to establish himself as a reliable second option on a championship-caliber club—he operated behind both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Denver. Additionally, at 28, Porter is less likely to experience significant improvement moving forward, whereas Duren still has time on his side.
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