The Pistons are heading into the 2026-2027 season with a few fresh pieces, and that’s changed the conversation around what this group can become.
John Collins, Isiah Joe, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris are among the new names on the roster, and all are expected to help Detroit push toward the top of the Eastern Conference standings. At the same time, the team said goodbye to Tobias Harris, Isiah Stewart, Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser. The incoming talent appears to balance out the departures, giving the Pistons a chance to avoid sliding backward this year.
Even with that reinforcements, there’s still a clear need for someone to rise alongside Cade Cunningham. Jalen Duren remains undecided about where he will be, so the Pistons are still searching for another player who can take a meaningful step forward.
One obvious candidate is Ausar Thompson, who just signed a five-year, $155 million deal. Thompson already has the kind of athletic profile that turns heads across the league, and his defense is already among the best in basketball.
Last season, he put up 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 52% from the field. The big swing skill is the jumper: he shot 25% from 3 in the regular season and 14% in the playoffs.
That’s where the leap could come. If Thompson can turn his speed and explosiveness into more consistent playmaking in the open floor, he can create for himself and others. Add even a mid-range jumper or a respectable outside shot, and he becomes a much tougher cover.
Isiah Joe is another name to watch after arriving from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he won a championship. He didn’t see much action off the bench in the playoffs last year, but his regular-season numbers still show what he brings: 11 points per game on 45% shooting from the field and 42% from 3. His role dipped in the postseason, with just 11 minutes there compared to a little over 21 during the regular season.
For Detroit, the value is obvious. Joe gives the Pistons real shooting, including 40% from 3, and that kind of spacing can open things up for Cunningham to attack or set up teammates.
The final player with room to jump is Holland. As a rookie last season, he averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds while shooting 43% from the field. He played about 20 minutes a night in the regular season, then only 9 minutes in the playoffs.
At 6-8 and 206 pounds, Holland brings size and defense, which gives Detroit another disruptive piece to pair with Ausar Thompson. If he can handle longer stretches and keep bringing energy on the defensive end for head coach JB Bickerstaff, he could grow into a valuable role player.
Detroit will begin its preseason on October 5th at 7 p.m. against the Phoenix Suns. Cunningham remains the star, but the bigger questions are simple: can the Pistons get more scoring help, and will their defense be strong enough to win games?
If those answers come back positive, Detroit has a real chance to make a deeper playoff run.
In Other News...
Jalen Duren Drama Leaves Pistons Facing A Huge Long Term Question
The Pistons have spent the early part of this offseason trying to sort out one of their most important long-term decisions, and the Jalen Duren situation has only made it more complicated. Communication between Duren and the team has continued, but there is still no contract agreement in place, even after the young center requested sign-and-trade discussions back in June. For a Detroit front office trying to build around its young core, the lack of clarity around a player with Durens size and upside is a real issue, especially with the roster already in a stage where every major decision carries extra weight.
Detroits willingness to listen on the market has added another layer to the story. The Pistons have already declined at least one trade framework involving Domantas Sabonis, a sign they are not eager to rush into a move just to resolve the tension. So the franchise is left balancing patience, leverage and the need to protect its future, while Durens next step remains unresolved and the bigger question of how he fits into the long-term picture is still hanging over the team. [Read more 🡒]
Cade Cunningham Is Chasing The Missing Piece Detroit Still Needs
Cade Cunningham is spending his offseason in Colorado, training at high elevation with a clear focus on endurance and core stability. For a player who already carries so much of Detroits offense, the work is aimed at making him more durable and more complete, especially as he tries to sharpen the physical edge that can matter over the course of a long season.
The Pistons, meanwhile, are still looking for more offensive help after re-evaluating the roster in the wake of last seasons playoff run. Cunninghams conditioning push fits that bigger picture, because Detroit needs its lead guard to stay effective when games tighten up late and possessions get heavier in the fourth quarter, even as the front office continues weighing what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Davis Rumors Ignore One Huge Problem For The Pistons
The Anthony Davis buzz around Detroit comes from a mock trade proposal that would send the Mavericks star to the Pistons, but the basketball fit looks shaky almost as soon as you dig into it. Davis and Jalen Duren would create an awkward overlap in the frontcourt, and the Pistons have not shown any appetite for changing course at center, where Duren remains a key part of what they are building.
There is also the practical side of any deal, which is where the idea starts to wobble even more. Davis has been available only sparingly since arriving in Dallas, and the contract attached to him would be a major burden for Detroit to absorb without tearing into the depth that has helped stabilize the roster, making the whole scenario feel more like speculation than a realistic path forward. [Read more 🡒]