The Detroit Pistons are staring down the same roster-building dilemma that has handcuffed several franchises this season: extensions for their young core. Jalen Duren, with 2,371 points through three years, and Jaden Ivey, already at 2,917, have emerged as the franchise’s brightest building blocks. Both are now eligible for rookie-scale extensions—a decision that could shape Detroit’s timeline for years. Pass on those deals, and the Pistons risk letting their future faces test restricted free agency, a gamble that has burned teams before. Just look at Golden State’s uneasy standoff with Jonathan Kuminga, where hesitation has only complicated the Warriors’ long-term picture.

But the Pistons’ advantage is a clean salary table. Only Cade Cunningham, who scored an average of over 26 points in the 70 games he started, has a lucrative deal as the team’s protagonist. Yet, due to the youth on the team, timely decisions will have to be made. So how do they handle Duren and Ivey? According to Bryce Simon, one of them will be rewarded before the end of October.

“I am becoming less and less likely that he[Ivey] signs an extension because I think the delta is too wide. I am more and more convinced as an outsider, I have no sources within the organization that Jalen Duren gets his extension I know we will talk about him in a second and Jaden Ivey doesn’t because the range of outcomes for who Jaden Ivey as a player on this team and he role he fills is pretty vast and the number that matches that is obviously vast as well,” he said on the Game Theory podcast.

Ivey suffered from a broken fibula after a horrific incident in January against the Orlando Magic. His 30 games came before the Pistons began to find their groove. So, although he appeared in over 70 games in each of his first two seasons, the club still needs to see more from Ivey before committing big money.

Duren, on the other hand, also has a few holes in his game. The imposing center isn’t a bona fide rim protector, and most importantly, can’t spread the floor. However, he’s a walking double-double, which supplies the Pistons with tremendous value. At just 21, he’s an elite rebounder with a high ceiling as he plays more with a playmaker like Cade Cunningham. Hence, it’s likely the Pistons will look to cash in before another season gives him more leverage.

The Detroit Pistons pulled off one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the league this past season. In 2023–24, they hit rock bottom with a 14–68 record, finishing dead last and staring at yet another rebuild cycle. But within a year, the script flipped. Behind the growth of their young core and a renewed sense of identity, Detroit surged to the 6th seed, a leap that, even without a deep playoff run, marked real progress. Going from the league’s basement to postseason respectability is no small feat, especially in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference. That rise, however, comes with its own set of challenges.

The Pistons can’t afford to get reckless now, not when they’ve finally built some momentum. Extension talks, roster tweaks, and trade decisions all need to be measured carefully. Overplaying their hand could undo the fragile foundation they’ve laid, turning a promising step forward into another setback. For a team that has finally escaped the cellar, patience and smart moves may prove more valuable than splashy risks. But Jaden Ivey didn’t lack from an output standpoint either. So why is his role still blurry?

The Pistons will have several decisions to make

Before his injury, Ivey was on pace to have his breakout season. He had scored 22 when he clashed with Cole Anthony and saw his season end. His electric speed and finishing give the Pistons a secondary outlet besides Cunningham. But his injury was gruesome. So the question is, can he be back at his best when it’s time to talk dollars?

The Pistons haven’t made it easy for Jaden Ivey. He’s going to have to fight for a spot as they added Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert in the offseason. Both have a higher defensive upside, which catapults the Pistons’ rough playstyle. However, it doesn’t mean Ivey’s path back to being a starter is blocked.

He has the pace and competitive edge to improve defensively. Furthermore, Ivey also shot a career-high 40.9% from beyond the arc this last season. His floor is that of a secondary scorer. But his ceiling is that of a player who can dig the Pistons out of trouble with his scoring acumen and aggressiveness.

Much of his status will depend on how this season plays out. If Jaden Ivey can ball out, he will have leverage to negotiate a contract similar to Josh Giddey’s. Nonetheless, if it goes to the next summer, the Pistons will have several decisions to make. Next season, even Ausar Thompson will be eligible to sign an extension.

So they run the risk of Ivey having a breakout year, and possibly expanding his earning potential and appeal in the league. However, with how much the Pistons desire success, it’s not unlikely that they simply reward Ivey for his performances, as it does benefit the team.