Pistons recent signing could be insurance for Ausar Thompson

There was plenty of news around the NBA yesterday, including several moves by the Detroit Pistons. 

The Pistons exercised team options on Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser for the 2025-26 season, none of which were surprising. 

The big question mark is obviously Thompson, who has yet to be cleared for full-contact action by the league and is waiting in limbo until he gets approval. 

What looked to be a position of strength for the Pistons coming into the season will take a huge hit if Thompson is out, so the Pistons may be looking for depth if the worst-case scenario does happen, which would be Thompson being ruled out for the season. 

I don’t want to go there yet, as it’s too depressing to think about, but with the regular season starting tomorrow, the Pistons can’t wait around for the league to take action and made a move yesterday to bolster their depth. 

Detroit Pistons sign Cole Swider 

First off, this was a two-way signing so I am in no way shape or form saying that G-Leaguer Cole Swider is going to replace Ausar Thompson, because that is obviously not what is happening, so save your angry emails. 

But if the Pistons think Thompson may be out for an extended period (you have to wonder how much they know), adding some depth on the wing isn’t a bad idea. Even if the Pistons don’t have any information on Thompson, Swider is worth a flyer. 

He’s a 6-foot-9 sharpshooter out of Syracuse who played 18 games with the Heat last season and seven with the Lakers the season before. Here’s what the Pistons’ press release had to say about Swider: 

“He’s also seen action in 41 career NBA G League games, averaging 19.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, including 24.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 14 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the NBA G League affiliate of the Miami HEAT, last season.” 

Swider has certainly put up stats in the G-League, where he shot 42 percent from long range last season on a ridiculous 11.1 attempts per game. He also shot over 41 percent on over six attempts per game in his last year of college, so we know this guy can shoot it. 

You can never have too many shooters and Swider may get a shot at minutes at some point this season if there is another injury or someone underperforms.  

His addition doesn’t necessarily mean anything related to Ausar Thompson, but the Pistons have added some depth at his position, so take that for what it is worth, which isn’t much until we have more information.