The Detroit Pistons are making a move that fans have seen coming for a while now - and frankly, one that Daniss Jenkins has earned every step of the way. Team president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon confirmed Friday that the organization plans to convert Jenkins’ two-way deal into a standard NBA contract ahead of Monday’s matchup with the Hornets.
And if you caught Friday night’s game, you saw exactly why.
Jenkins, who reached his limit on two-way eligibility that same day, didn’t just show up - he showed out. The undrafted rookie dropped a team-high 18 points as the Pistons, currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference, dismantled the second-place Knicks. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just justify a roster spot - it demands one.
What made it even more impressive? Jenkins had to sit out Thursday’s loss to the Wizards because of his two-way status. That didn’t sit well with him.
“I was really frustrated yesterday because I didn’t get to play,” Jenkins said postgame. “I hate missing games.
I just wanted to come out and impact the game. We forgot about it, we flushed that game yesterday, but it’s still on my mind.
It was definitely not a game that we should have lost. I just wanted to come out and impact the game like I always do.
Just change the energy.”
That energy shift was undeniable. From the opening tip, Jenkins played like a man trying to prove a point - and maybe he was.
His rise has been meteoric enough to make former lottery pick Jaden Ivey expendable. Ivey was shipped to Chicago in a deadline deal that brought back veteran guard Kevin Huerter, a move that signals just how much faith Detroit has in Jenkins moving forward.
And Jenkins isn't shying away from the chip on his shoulder.
“If I’m being honest, and everybody knows I’m a very humble guy, but in college, most of these dudes that got drafted, what was the difference between me and them?” Jenkins said.
“What? You tell me, what was the difference?
For me, going undrafted is insanity to me, literally insanity, and that burns inside of me every single day.”
That fire is clearly fueling his game - and the Pistons are reaping the benefits.
Pistons Stay the Course at the Deadline
Outside of the Ivey-Huerter swap, Detroit largely stood pat at the trade deadline. Langdon described the team’s approach as measured, noting that while conversations were had, no deals materialized that made sense in the moment.
“There were some things, whether it was the other team pulling out or us just saying, now’s not the right time for that,” Langdon said. “There were some things that I wouldn’t say got close, that we thought about but didn’t execute.”
The Pistons are clearly focused on the bigger picture - and that picture includes a deep playoff run. Langdon emphasized the importance of seeing how this group performs when the lights are brightest.
“What are we going to do in the postseason? What’s our rotation, who are the guys that step up in crunch time?”
Langdon said. “The hope is we give ourselves a chance to play meaningful basketball in the postseason and that’ll allow us to assess what this team is and who we are going forward.”
That doesn’t mean the front office is done tweaking. Langdon left the door open for a potential addition from the buyout market if the right player becomes available.
“We’ll always look at opportunities to get better,” he said. “We’ll definitely explore it, see who becomes available and if some of those players fit for us.”
Huerter Brings Shooting, Savvy - and a Bit of Nostalgia
As for Kevin Huerter, his Pistons debut was brief but promising. He logged eight points in eight minutes against the Knicks, showing flashes of the floor-spacing and basketball IQ that have defined his career.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff likes what Huerter brings to the table, even if his role in the rotation isn’t fully locked in yet.
“He’s a complete basketball player,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s versatile in the things that he can do.
Obviously, (he has) the ability to make shots. But he has the ability to make plays, he can play the pick-and-roll.
He’s an elite cutter, understanding spacing. Just his ability to process the game as a whole.”
Bickerstaff also emphasized that Huerter’s personality and professionalism make him a strong cultural fit for a team that’s already found a winning rhythm.
“He’s not here to rock the boat by any means,” Bickerstaff added. “He’s here to help and contribute, and we feel like his skill set can do that.”
For Huerter, this is more than just a new chapter - it’s a bit of a full-circle moment. Growing up, he was a Pistons fan. The 2000s-era squad - Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace - left a lasting impression.
“One of the first basketballs that I had was a Detroit Pistons basketball,” Huerter said. “That whole team was one of my favorite teams. … I always liked the Pistons.”
Now, he’s wearing the jersey - and if Friday night was any indication, he’s ready to make an impact.
Final Word
The Pistons didn’t make a splash at the deadline - they didn’t need to. They’ve already found a gem in Daniss Jenkins, a player who’s turning every ounce of doubt into fuel. With a top seed in the East and a roster that’s buying into the vision, Detroit is in position to make some real noise this spring.
They’re not just building for the future - they’re winning now. And Jenkins?
He’s not just along for the ride. He’s helping drive it.