Hornets' Trade Blunder: Duren's Playoff Slump

0:00On April 26, nearly four years back, the Charlotte Hornets traded Jalen Durin to the Detroit pistons on draft night, grabbing Mark Williams instead, as their center of the future. That move looked like a huge blunder for a while, with Durin turning into a beast. But now, after his rough playoff start, Hornets fans might feel a bit better about it. Durin had a monster regular season, earning all-star nods and most improved player buzz, even pushing for all NBA. Pass forward to these playoffs against Orlando, though, and he's averaging just eight points over two losses, piling up turnovers and fouling out in. The last one. Orlando's window-quartered junior has locked him down tight, and their defense is clogging the paint, making life tough for Detroit's big man. Fans and analysts are buzzing about whether this slump hurts his big contract extension talks this summer. Meanwhile, the Hornets moved on from Williams, who didn't work out, and they're rolling with Moose of the Abade and Rookie Ryan Cochburner at center, key, pieces in their recent surge.

1:02If Durin keeps struggling and the pistons flame out early, Charlotte could dodge a bullet long term, especially as they hunt for the right big man, prospect to build around. That's your update from Charlotte Hornets News today, powered by AI.