With training camp getting closer, the Detroit Pistons’ 2026-27 rotation is starting to take shape, and the big picture looks familiar. Detroit is expected to lean on much of the same core after a 2025-26 season that brought 60 regular-season wins and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The one major change in the starting group comes at forward. John Collins, signed away from the Los Angeles Clippers on a three-year, $51 million deal, is set to slide into the spot Tobias Harris vacated after leaving for the San Antonio Spurs.
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson are all expected to stay in the first five as well. Jalen Duren would also keep his starting role, though that depends on him still being on Detroit’s roster when the season opens because of his ongoing contract standstill with the team.
Here’s how the Pistons’ early rotation breaks down by position:
Ball Handlers: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Daniss Jenkins, Isaiah Joe, Ebuka Okorie, Kevin Huerter, Gary Harris, Elijah Harkless
Wings: Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Ron Holland II, Taurean Prince, Isaac Jones, Javonte Green
Bigs: Jalen Duren, Paul Reed, Tolu Smith, Ugonna Onyenso
Detroit should have a deep mix of backcourt options behind its starters. Isaiah Joe, brought in through a post-NBA Draft trade with Oklahoma City, and Daniss Jenkins are the two ball handlers projected to get meaningful minutes off the bench.
Joe has a real case to push for a starting job over Robinson at the No. 2 spot next to Cunningham, thanks to his three-point shooting and defensive edge, but for now he’s listed among the reserve options. Kevin Huerter is back after signing an extension, and No. 17 overall pick Ebuka Okorie out of Stanford will try to carve out a role as the season unfolds.
On the wing, Ron Holland II and Taurean Prince look like the main bench pieces. Prince arrived in Detroit in a trade that sent Caris LeVert to the Milwaukee Bucks, and he brings a skill the Pistons badly need: shooting.
In 2025-26 with Milwaukee, Prince averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists while hitting 43.6 percent from three. Detroit’s issues from deep were clear last season, and Robinson was the only current Piston on the roster to shoot better than 40 percent from beyond the arc.
Up front, the Pistons’ center depth behind Duren starts with Paul Reed and Tolu Smith. Reed earned a reputation last season for his toughness and physical play, and he was especially noticeable in the postseason after coming off the bench.
Some would even argue he gave Detroit more than Duren in the playoff matchups with the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Still, Reed is projected to stay behind Duren on the depth chart if Duren remains with the team.
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