Ausar Thompson gave the Pistons something to tuck away on Friday night: a hint that there may be more to his offensive game than Detroit has seen so far.
Late in the third quarter of the final preseason game against the Toronto Raptors, Thompson found himself with the shot clock winding down and the ball in the corner. With no easy outlet, he created for himself, crossed over to his left and rose into a mid-range jumper.
The shot fell cleanly. It was the kind of make that doesn’t just look good in the box score - it opens the door to a bigger question about what Thompson could become if that part of his game keeps growing.
Detroit has spent the preseason looking to use Thompson more as a ball-handler, and that will matter this season. The Pistons need that kind of development from him, especially after a summer that didn’t bring much in the way of major additions.
Tobias Harris is gone, and John Collins arrived to fill that spot. Isaiah Joe is another new piece who should help.
But the bigger issue remains the same: Detroit needs more offense from inside the roster, not just from Cade Cunningham.
That’s why one preseason jumper from Thompson stood out so much. It was only one play, and it came in a preseason setting, but it gave Pistons fans a reason to imagine something more. If Thompson can keep building on his jump shot - whether that means mid-range touches or extending it farther out - it would be a real boost for a team that needs every source of offense it can find.
The expectation around Thompson has never centered on shooting. That was clear when he and his brother entered the league. The appeal has always been elsewhere: defense, athleticism, intelligence, all the stuff that makes him such a valuable piece even without a polished jumper.
And that’s still true. Thompson does not need to become a shooter to matter in Detroit.
But if that jumper is really in there, even in the early stages, it changes the conversation. It gives the Pistons another layer to develop, another reason to believe there’s still upside left to unlock.
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Pistons Rookie Just Made JB Bickerstaffs Rotation Decision Harder
The Pistons wrapped up the preseason with a win over Torontos backups, and the final tune-up offered one more reminder that the back end of the roster has become a real competition. Ausar Thompson continued to flash on offense, but it was rookie Ebuka Okorie who drew the attention with a 14-point burst in just nine minutes, the kind of quick-hit scoring that can change how a staff thinks about its guard depth.
Daniss Jenkins still looks like the likely opening-night backup point guard, but performances like this make the discussion a little less settled than it seemed a week ago. Okorie showed enough offensive juice to at least make JB Bickerstaff keep him in the conversation, especially if the Pistons want more creation from that spot early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Flashed Real Progress But One Problem Still Stood Out
The Pistons ended their preseason on a positive note with a 129-125 win over the Raptors, and there was enough in it to suggest the offense is starting to come together. Cade Cunningham led the way with 18 points and seven assists, while Jalen Duren added 14 points and looked sharper after missing earlier preseason games during contract negotiations. Detroits shooting and spacing both stood out, two signs that the group is beginning to look more comfortable in its new shape.
Still, the final preseason tune-up also underlined the issue that can undo all that progress if it lingers. Toronto put up 45 points in the fourth quarter, and the Pistons were called for 35 personal fouls, a reminder that the defensive end is still lagging behind the offense. The talent is there for Detroit to take a step forward, but the margin for error stays thin until the stop-the-ball issues clean up. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Rotation Battle Is Already Creating Pressure On One Newcomer
The Pistons are still sorting out their rotation with the regular season approaching, and the competition is already tightening in the backcourt. John Collins has helped himself by playing efficiently and showing real chemistry with Cade Cunningham, while Jalen Durens strong preseason and new five-year deal have only reinforced how central he is to Detroits plans.
Kevin Huerter, meanwhile, is the newcomer feeling the squeeze. Detroit has a crowded shooting guard mix with Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Joe also in the picture, and that leaves Huerter fighting for a clear lane to consistent minutes as the staff weighs fit, spacing and trust before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]