The Detroit Pistons are making a move that’s been brewing for a while-and it’s a well-earned one. Head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon confirmed Friday that the team plans to convert Daniss Jenkins’ two-way contract into a standard NBA deal over the weekend. The timing isn’t coincidental: Jenkins is set to hit his 50-game active limit Friday night against the Knicks, which means it’s decision time.
“We’re having conversations with (Jenkins’ agent) about what that looks like going forward,” Langdon said. “We’ll convert him over the weekend and he’ll be a rostered player in our game in Charlotte (on Monday). At least that’s the goal, that’s the hope.”
If that sounds like a front office exec trying to keep things measured, the rest of Langdon’s comments made it clear: Jenkins has earned this. The 24-year-old guard has been one of the few bright spots in a tough Pistons season, carving out a real role as the team’s primary backup point guard.
“Kudos to him, he’s worked his butt off,” Langdon said. “All last season, playing a ton of games for Motor City (Detroit’s G League affiliate), we saw his improvement during the year. And I think everybody saw how he played in the Summer League in Vegas, and he just continued to improve.”
That improvement hasn’t just been behind closed doors. Jenkins has made the most of his opportunities this season, appearing in 41 games and averaging 7.9 points, 3.3 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals in just under 17 minutes per game. He’s shooting a solid .421 from the field, .385 from deep, and .797 at the line-numbers that speak to a growing confidence and a player who’s finding his rhythm at the NBA level.
This isn’t just about stats, though. Jenkins has brought poise and energy off the bench, offering stability in a rotation that’s seen more than its fair share of turbulence. Whether it’s pushing the pace in transition or holding his own defensively, he’s looked the part of an NBA guard-something that didn’t seem guaranteed when he came in as an undrafted free agent.
Langdon pointed to Jenkins’ strong Summer League and training camp performances as key moments in his development, but it’s his consistency since then that’s made the difference. “(He) had a great camp and he’s just continued this trajectory on getting better,” Langdon said. “When the opportunities came, he’s taken advantage of them.”
And now, the Pistons are rewarding that growth. With a full 15-man roster following the trade deadline, Detroit will have to make a move to open up a spot for Jenkins.
The likeliest candidate to be waived is veteran forward Dario Saric, who came over from Chicago in the Kevin Huerter trade. While Saric brings experience and floor spacing, he’s seen limited action and doesn’t fit the long-term vision for a rebuilding Pistons squad.
The Jenkins promotion is more than just a roster shuffle-it’s a sign that Detroit is leaning into its youth movement and rewarding internal development. For a team trying to build something sustainable, giving a guy like Jenkins a real shot sends the right message.
Bottom line: Daniss Jenkins bet on himself when he reportedly turned down a two-year, minimum-salary deal in January. Now, it looks like that bet is about to pay off.