Memphis basketball's Jalen Duren traded to Detroit Pistons in 2022 NBA Draft: Pros and cons

Jalen Duren was selected by the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday with the 13th pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Shortly afterward, Duren was traded to the New York Knicks, who then traded him to the Detroit Pistons, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Earlier Thursday, the Pistons drafted guard Jaden Ivey with the fifth overall pick. Duren and Ivey join a young core in Detroit that includes Cade Cunningham, who finished third in the most recent NBA Rookie of the Year vote.

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound center from Philadelphia becomes the third Memphis basketball player taken in the first round in the last three years. In 2020, James Wiseman and Precious Achiuwa were selected second and 20th overall, respectively.

Duren led Memphis in scoring (12.0) and rebounding (8.1) last season, helping Penny Hardaway's team reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014 and notching American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors.

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Here's what Pistons fans can expect from Duren.

The positives

Duren is as NBA-ready physically as any big in this year's class.

Topping the list of skills most likely to translate quickly are rebounding and rim-protecting, largely thanks to his 7-foot-5 wingspan. For a young big man, Duren also shouldn't have much trouble initiating breaks after cleaning up the glass since he's more skilled than some give him credit for.

Duren, who has drawn comparisons to Bam Adebayo, Dwight Howard and Ben Wallace, isn't a one-dimensional offensive player, either. As he progressed last season, he expanded his game from a primarily rim-running and put-back specialist to a player comfortable in the mid-range with a sound jump shot.

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The concerns

Duren might be too much of a throwback to be a premier player in today's NBA. Since he doesn't shoot the 3-ball, well, pretty much ever, that figures to limit his upside.

He's also, at 18, a bit on the young side and lacks seasoning.

Another knock on Duren is he's a bit on the slower side, with average footwork by NBA standards. He has also struggled with his motor from time to time, although he improved there down the stretch last season.

Final thoughts

Duren was very much worthy of the lottery projections he received over the past few years. He may not be ready to be an everyday starter in the NBA right away. But, judging by his rate of progression at Memphis, there's no reason to think he can't continue to improve.

Handled correctly in the right situation, Duren has everything it takes to enjoy a nice, long NBA career.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis' Jalen Duren traded to Detroit Pistons in 2022 NBA Draft