The Pistons’ 2026 offseason took a swing at two very different kinds of offense, and Orlando Thomas might be the more intriguing long shot of the pair.
Detroit added Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie in the 2026 NBA Draft, then brought in Thomas as an undrafted free agent. That move may not turn heads right away, but Thomas arrives with a path to the league that stands out even in a class full of grinders and survivors.
He finished his college career at Langston, an NAIA program in Oklahoma, where the 6-foot-2 guard put up 15.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while hitting 42.3% from 3-point range. That production helped him earn Second-Team All-American honors at the NAIA level, and it capped a college journey that started with two seasons at Quincy University, a Division II school, before he transferred to Webber International University, another NAIA program, for his junior year.
Thomas also played a major role in Langston’s run to the 2026 NAIA title game. In that championship game, he led the way with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, going 6-of-11 from the field, 1-of-4 from deep and 7-of-8 at the line.
For Detroit, the appeal is straightforward. The Pistons are coming off a 2025-26 regular season in which they won 60 games after winning 44 the year before, good enough for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
But the postseason exposed some issues. After surviving a seven-game series against the Orlando Magic, they were knocked out by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
Jalen Duren’s production dropped sharply in the playoffs, and the team still needed more reliable scoring and perimeter shooting beyond Cade Cunningham.
That’s where a player like Thomas fits the conversation. His shooting and defensive disruption give him a real chance to matter as a developmental piece, especially for the Motor City Cruise, Detroit’s G League affiliate. He’ll get a look with the Pistons’ Summer League team, which gives him a chance to show the staff what he can do and possibly earn a roster spot with the Cruise.
The odds are still steep. Most undrafted free agents never make it to the NBA. But Detroit’s bet on Thomas is a low-risk one, especially for a team that values defense and still needs more consistent shooting on the perimeter.
The Pistons already addressed that area by trading for Isaiah Joe and resigning Kevin Huerter, but Thomas gives them another cheap option with upside if his game keeps moving forward.
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