Ausar Thompson’s path to narrowing the gap with Amen starts with the ball in his hands more often and a cleaner passing game.
That comparison between the twins has been easy to make so far. Amen is the smoother offensive player, the better ball handler and creator, and the numbers back that up.
Ausar brings more on defense, where he’s the more versatile and disruptive presence, even if the margin there isn’t huge. Put it all together, and Amen is the better player right now - part of the reason he landed an extension worth more than $50 million more than the deal Ausar got from the Detroit Pistons.
But Ausar has a real chance to change the conversation after his first fully healthy offseason.
He already showed a little more comfort as a playmaker in the first preseason game. In 18 minutes, he handled the ball more cleanly, got into the lane and picked up two assists. That kind of growth matters for a player who averaged just 3.1 assists per game last season, well behind Amen’s mark of over five.
The gap isn’t out of reach. Amen posted a usage rate that was three percent higher, and that’s the kind of jump Ausar can realistically make this season if he gets more on-ball responsibility.
The first step is tightening the turnovers. Ausar’s turnover rate last season was 14.3 percent, which stands out even more because he wasn’t asked to do a ton as a creator.
Amen handled the ball far more often and still finished with a better turnover percentage at 13.5. So while Ausar has already shown some encouraging signs with the ball, he still has to be sharper.
The good news for him is that the Pistons have given him more help. Isaiah Joe, John Collins and Taurean Prince should open the floor and give Ausar both more room to attack and more passing targets when he draws help.
Cade Cunningham stands to benefit too. He was deadly on catch-and-shoot 3s in the playoffs, and Detroit should be looking to create more of those looks for him. That only happens if somebody else is doing the creating, and Thompson is already flashing the ability to fill that role.
If he can get his assists above 5 per game, he’ll have taken a real step toward closing the offensive gap between himself and his twin.
In Other News...
Pistons May Have A Bigger Backcourt Swing Than Fans Expected
The Pistons head into the upcoming season with a clear priority: keep leaning on the defense that helped them stay competitive, while finding a way to squeeze more offense out of a roster that needs it. That balance is part of why the backcourt has become such a point of interest, especially for a team trying to take the next step in the playoffs without losing the identity that got it there.
Around the league, Detroit has reportedly kept an eye on a potential swing at Kyrie Irving, a sign that the front office may be thinking bigger than a modest upgrade. The idea is still speculative, but the conversation has enough traction to be worth watching as the season unfolds, particularly if Irvings situation shifts and opens the door to a move that could be handled more smoothly than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Fans Have 3 Young Names Worth Watching Tonight
The Pistons win over Phoenix was the kind that leaves a long runway of optimism for a young roster. Detroit trailed at halftime, then flipped the game with a 34-16 third quarter and finished with five players in double figures in a 107-105 victory, a reminder that the group can survive rough stretches when the energy and ball movement are there. For a team still sorting out its identity, that matters just as much as the final score.
Ron Holland stood out as the leading scorer in that game, while rookie Ebuka Okorie announced himself in his first NBA action with an immediate impact. Isaiah Joes shooting line against the Suns was far from clean, but the larger point is that these are the kinds of early-season swings young teams live with, and the next test against the Wizards offers another chance to see which names keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Face Early Roster Questions As Ron Holland Tries To Answer One
Ron Holland II is getting one of the first real chances this preseason to show where he fits for the Pistons, and the second exhibition against the Wizards offers another early look at how Detroits young group is coming together. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has already hinted at a deeper rotation in this one, which should give the roster more room to sort itself out after the opener and give Holland a stage to build on the expectations around his development.
There are a few other spots worth watching as the Pistons keep evaluating their options. Jalen Duren is expected to be available, and his presence would add another important layer to the frontcourt mix as Detroit tries to settle into a preseason rhythm. In the backcourt, the competition for the reserve minutes has also started to take shape, with Saben Lee and rookie Ebuka Okorie both trying to make their case while the Pistons continue sorting through early lineup decisions. [Read more 🡒]