Outside of Cade Cunningham being the cornerstone in the Motor City, the Detroit Pistons have plenty of uncertainty surrounding their future.
Over the last few years, Detroit has assembled what they hoped to be the foundation of the future, with several first-round selections leading them to a core alongside Cunningham featuring Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren
The only problem is, the team's back-to-back first-round picks from the 2022 and 2023 NBA Draft no longer seem to be the answer the Pistons hoped they could become, but instead a problem they have to sort out if they ever hope to get over the hump.
And according to NBA mind Sam Vecenie on a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast, Detroit has a massive decision to make this offseason.
Pistons have to choose between Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren
Sam Vecenie covered plenty regarding the Pistons' looming offseason decision, but arguably the most noteworthy comment from the basketball guru is the idea that Trajan Langdon will have to decide between who to keep: Thompson or Duren.
"To me, the decision this summer if I'm Trajan Langdon, is I have to make the decision on Ausar [Thompson] vs. [Jalen] Duren," Vecenie said. "Because I really just do not think that you can build a functional playoff offense with both of those guys on the court. I think you can do it with one of them...I do not believe you can make two [non-shooters] work at the highest level of the playoffs."
It's hard to argue Vecenie's comments either, especially considering that when Thompson and Duren shared the court in the postseason, Detroit's offense struggled so much that it felt like J.B. Bickerstaff's squad was playing against themselves more so than they were against the Cleveland Cavaliers in round two.
And beyond just how poorly the two players coexist together, pairing players who simply can't space the floor around Cunningham is the exact opposite of the formula that will help Detroit take the next step.
If it truly comes down to deciding between the two young talents, the decision should be a no-brainer for Detroit.
Detroit has to choose Thompson
Duren and Thompson's strengths heavily differ from one another, but what they offer individually can't be overlooked due to their shortcomings as shooters on the offensive side.
However, the harsh reality of the situation is that finding a viable big man option is much easier than it is to find an All-NBA defender at the level of Thompson.
Sure, Duren posted an All-NBA caliber season throughout the regular season, but considering his disastrous playoff run, mixed with the fact that he's supermax eligible this offseason, Detroit simply can't put all their eggs in the big man's basket coming off his abysmal postseason play.
Choosing Thomas likely saves them money, gives them more time to sort things out, and allows for the team to guarantee a defensive pest on their side for the playoffs to come; a trait that truly could help the team get back to the NBA Finals.
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