Pa Dana Gauruder | on October 6, 2026 at 8:30 p.m
Ausar Thompsonapplication in pistons preseason opening suggested his offensive role is expanding, By Amari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press notes.
Thompson, who signed five-year, $155 million rookie scale extension last month, split the ball-handling duties with Cade Cunningham during the first half of Detroit’s two-point win over Phoenix on Monday. When Cunningham held on in the second half, Thompson filled the point guard role.
Another promising development was Thompson’s shooting, as he knocked down three mid-range jumpers en route to 10 points.
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Acquiring the team’s best free agent, John Collinsis the best shooting big man since Cunningham and Jalen Duren played with Hunter Patterson of The Athletic writes. Collins will help stretch the floor, and he’s also a serious threat that makes the team younger and more athletic at a position previously held by a steady Tobias Harris. Collins knows he has to give his best to fit in with his latest team. “These guys have a different passion, a different heart” said Collins. “When they play basketball, they really have that Pistons aura, that energy that I knew and grew up with. I feel like I have that in me, and that was something that wasn’t embraced the same way around the league. So that’s something that I’m going to have to bring back myself and adjust to the guys. There’s a group of guys here that play heart every day.”
- Duren, who signed a five-year, $200 million contract over the weekend, did not play against the Suns. coach J. Bickerstaff said the staff will ease into his return with the goal of getting him ready for the regular season opener. “We’re in no rush” Bickerstaff said. “We have an organizational plan from the front office, the coaches, the performance, the medical staff, we’ve put together a plan to build it up so that by October 20th, the first game, it’s ready to go full speed.”
- First round pick Okorie shares scored the game-winning basket in the final seconds on a spurt. “He’s patient and he doesn’t rush. … He’s not overwhelmed by the moment, and that’s something we’ve seen pretty consistently.” Bickerstaff said. “He got to his spot and got his shot. Like I said before, to be able to finish the way he can finish at that age is unique.”
- Third year wing Ron Holland scored a team-high 14 points despite shooting 4-for-12 from the field: “I’ve been watching a lot of film this summer, and when I’m in the gym, I’m intentionally working on tempo, not just talking about it.” he said. “Putting my body in front of me, being able to play as fast as I’ve been playing, but being able to slow the game down in my head. And I think that showed tonight. Obviously, I’ve got a ways to go.” The front office must decide by the end of the month whether to exercise its $11.49 million option on Holland’s 2027/28 contract.