The Pistons’ offseason makeover drew plenty of skepticism, especially because the roster still looked short on a true secondary scorer next to Cade Cunningham. But the early shape of this team has pointed to something else: Detroit may not have found one clear No. 2 on paper, yet it has several players who can grow into bigger roles because of Cunningham’s presence.
That’s the real story here. Cunningham bends defenses, and when he does, the floor opens up for teammates who can finish, shoot, cut, or punish weak-side mistakes. A few Pistons are positioned to cash in on that effect in a big way.
Ausar Thompson is at the top of that list. After earning All-Defensive First Team honors, he has already stamped himself as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders.
He led the NBA in steals and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, so the defensive reputation is secure. The next step is on the other end.
If defenses keep loading up on Cunningham, Thompson’s offensive growth could become a real swing factor for Detroit. Whether he develops into a more dangerous slash-and-kick playmaker or starts punishing the weak side when Cunningham draws extra attention, that leap could change the Pistons from a solid regular-season team into something much tougher to handle in the playoffs.
Jalen Duren belongs in the conversation too, even with the injury that is expected to keep him out for another two weeks. His connection with Cunningham is already one of the most established on the roster, and he’s Cunningham’s most effective pick-and-roll partner.
What Detroit needs next is for Duren to carry his paint dominance into the postseason and become a true defensive anchor. With Cunningham carrying so much of the offense, Duren’s value comes from the vertical pressure, the finishing, and the rim protection he can supply when the games tighten.
John Collins has also started to fit the picture. The veteran brings athleticism and bounce, and he has a track record of thriving alongside elite playmakers from his time with the Atlanta Hawks.
Cunningham gives him that kind of setup again. Collins is averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds this season, and he’s already helping the offense by spacing the floor and giving teammates more room to operate.
That kind of spacing matters because it lets Cunningham work in the areas where he’s most dangerous.
Isaiah Joe is another player who could benefit once he’s healthy. He’s dealing with injury issues to start the season, but his role is obvious when he’s available.
Detroit has long needed better floor spacing, and Joe is built for it. He’s a spot-up shooter from three, and with the freedom to launch six to eight attempts per game, his breakout could come from the clean looks Cunningham creates when he attacks the lane and kicks it out.
After being buried in Oklahoma City, Joe has a chance to become one of Detroit’s key offensive pieces.
Ron Holland II rounds out the group as an energetic bench weapon, though his place in the rotation may not be as stable if his minutes get squeezed. Even so, his biggest trait is hard to miss: he attacks the rim.
He ranks among the top sophomore forwards in generating shots around the basket, and that makes him a natural fit next to Cunningham. In half-court sets, Holland can thrive off Cunningham’s playmaking vision, while his transition scoring and off-ball cuts give Detroit another way to turn pressure into points.
In Other News...
Pistons Could Have A Costly Shot At Orlandos Most Intriguing Star
The early-season stumble in Orlando has already put the Magic in an uncomfortable spot, with a 2-7 start and injuries piling up around Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs. For a Pistons team trying to climb into the Easts next tier, that kind of uncertainty naturally turns attention toward the players who might become available if the Magic decide to rethink the direction of their roster.
Franz Wagner is the name that stands out as the most intriguing possibility, and also the most expensive one to chase. Detroit would have to come up with a serious package to even get Orlandos attention, especially with Wagner carrying a sizable contract and dealing with his own injury absences, which makes any pursuit feel more like a long shot than a simple opportunistic swing. [Read more 🡒]
Bronny James Overshadowed A Lakers Win With A Courtside Incident
Bronny James did not take the floor in the Lakers game against the Pistons, but he still became part of the nights conversation from the sideline. During the game, James was involved in a verbal exchange with a Detroit fan, prompting Lakers staff to step in as the situation escalated enough to draw attention courtside.
The fan was reportedly removed, though that has not been confirmed, and the incident added an odd layer to a game that also featured a brief confrontation between Austin Reaves and a fan. With Luka Doncic sidelined because of back tightness, the basketball on the floor had its own story, but the noise around it made for a restless night in Detroit. [Read more 🡒]
Daniss Jenkins Is Suddenly Forcing A Pistons Rotation Decision
Daniss Jenkins recent surge has given the Pistons something they did not have much of before Jalen Duren went down: another ballhandler who can steady the offense when Cade Cunningham is being pressured. Against the Lakers, Jenkins poured in 31 points in 32 minutes, a breakout that did more than pad a box score. It came in a game where Detroit was searching for answers, and coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been experimenting with rotations to help Cunningham, who had an off shooting night.
Jenkins emergence as a secondary playmaker now puts the Pistons in an interesting spot as they sort out the back end of the rotation. If he keeps giving Detroit real production, the minutes picture could shift for players such as Ron Holland II, and Bickerstaff will have to decide whether Jenkins is simply filling in or forcing his way into a more permanent role. For a team trying to support its star without losing balance elsewhere, that is the kind of decision that can quietly reshape the lineup. [Read more 🡒]