An early-season priority for the Pistons is developing more creators on the team, best highlighted by Ausar Thompson’s evolving offensive role. It’s led to more mistakes for Thompson, such as his 5 turnovers on Monday night against the Wizards, but they will only help him grow in his ball-handling and decision-making.
Pistons fans should give Thompson plenty of grace with his offensive evolution. He hasn’t been asked to play such an on-ball role at any other point in his NBA career, but he’s stepping up to the challenge valiantly. If Ausar can develop his handle, playmaking and finishing enough to be a weapon, he’ll also be an asset in the Pistons’ revamped offense.
Thompson needs to be making mistakes early and often
It’s hard to make substantial growth without making some mistakes along the way, and that wisdom rings especially true for developing ball-handlers. Thompson is really just getting started taking on more responsibilities as a playmaker and driver in actual NBA games.
Even with his relative inexperience in the role, Thompson is already making a lot of the right reads. He often sees cutters and shooters before they get open, and also knows when to attack an advantageous matchup. But the skills and execution haven’t quite caught up yet.
Oftentimes, Ausar has bad turnover passes where he has the right idea but just can’t make the pass yet or the timing is a little off. As he keeps making those mistakes in early regular season games, he should get more refined for higher stakes in the playoffs.
Ausar is averaging a career-high 2.6 turnovers per game this season, but also a career-high 4.4 assists per game. It’s impossible to get that playmaking growth without taking some of these early lumps. But the Pistons should be better off in the long term for letting Ausar make mistakes now.
Thompson’s growth will determine Detroit’s future
Regardless of his offensive growth, Thompson will continue to be a core piece for the Pistons going forward. They committed to him for 5 years during the offseason, and he’s far too important with his defense and rebounding.
But the offensive growth can decide the Pistons’ immediate ceiling as well as the moves they need to make before becoming proper title contenders. If he can be a reliable ball handler against playoff defenses, the Pistons have a lot fewer issues to address through trades.
If Thompson struggles and doesn’t quite get there, the Pistons still have the assets to get offensive upgrades elsewhere. Either way, their early tests for Thompson should help them answer the question and make him better off regardless of what role he ends up occupying in the future.
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