It seems wild to say this, but the Detroit Pistons are less than a month away from regular-season basketball, but before that date, they will have to make crucial decisions about several players.
Extensions and team options have to be picked up before October is over and the Pistons have a trio of players at a crossroads.
Marcus Sasser: Team option
The Pistons have until October 31st to exercise their team option on Marcus Sasser. Sasser is set to make $2.8 million, a reasonable cost for a back-of-the-rotation player who isn’t likely to get regular minutes.
But that number jumps up to $5.1 million in 2026-27, a number the Pistons may not be comfortable paying a guy who isn’t in the full-time rotation.
As I wrote about earlier, it’s absolutely crucial to keep a steady stream of cheap talent coming in to offset the high salaries at the top of the payroll, and the Pistons may be able to find a cheaper option than Sasser.
I’d be surprised if they exercised his option, and if they don’t, he’s unlikely to be on the team at this time next season.
No one has more at stake in training camp and preseason financially then Sasser.
Jalen Duren's extension
The Pistons have until October 20th to extend Duren, which doesn’t seem likely at this point.
Trajan Langdon has expressed his desire to make sure contributions and contracts match, and he risks little by waiting, though the Pistons may face some drama next offseason if both Duren and Ivey are restricted free agents.
Detroit has made the mistake of overpaying a one-dimensional center in the past and can’t do it again with Duren. Recent contracts for Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington could give us some clue of Duren’s market, but he’s going to want more than both of those guys got and the Pistons may have to play hardball.
If Detroit could extend Duren for less than $100 million and get a team option for the final year, it would be looked at as a win, but they have to tread carefully here.
Jaden Ivey's extension
All of the same things are true of Ivey, who has been the subject of many trade rumors this summer.
The Pistons are going to give Ivey every chance to prove himself, and if he does, I’m sure they’d love to keep him, but the number Ivey wants and what the Pistons are willing to give may still be far apart even if he has a breakout year.
We’ve seen recently that Ivey’s prototype has not garnered much interest on the trade market or free agency, so the Pistons have all of the leverage here.
Not extending these two doesn’t mean they won’t be with the team long term, but it is a sign that the Pistons aren’t fully ready to commit either.
We will know how serious both sides are in less than a month, but if the Pistons don’t extend these players, it’s an issue that could hover over the team for the entire season.