There is always controversy in the ESPN NBA player rankings when it comes to the Detroit Pistons. Last year it was Cade Cunningham, and this year they’ve completely gotten it wrong with Ausar Thompson.
In their top 100 rankings last season, ESPN had Cunningham ranked as the 67th best player in the league, which looks even more ridiculous now than it did back then.
This year there were three Pistons on the list, but some notable omissions. Jaden Ivey came in at 85th, just ahead of teammate Tobias Harris at 84th. It was surprising to see Ivey crack the list at all after only playing 30 games last season, especially when the Pistons made the playoffs without him.
Ivey played well in those 30 games and could be on the cusp of a breakout season, which this ranking reflects.
Cunningham jumped all the way to 12th, which seems fair, and is a massive leap from 67th that shows just how good he was last year in his first All-NBA campaign. Detroit has a legit superstar, and he could be even higher on this list by this time near year.
Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson were left off the list completely, which seems nuts considering some of the players who were on it. There were unproven young guys like Stephon Castle, role players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and past-their-prime veterans like Jonas Valanciunas.
I like all of those players, but no one would take them over Ausar Thompson, who was the biggest snub.
ESPN player rankings: Where is Ausar Thompson?
I would argue that Jalen Duren should have been included in the top 100 as well, but his omission isn’t as glaring as that of Ausar Thompson.
Detroit had one of the best defenses in the league once Thompson joined the starting five and he was one of the top perimeter defenders in the league by any metric you can find.
If Jaden Ivey makes it on potential, then I am not sure how Thompson isn’t there, as he has the most potential to make a huge leap next season after having his first full offseason. Thompson’s twin brother Amen was 37th, and though he did play more games, there is no way the gap between the twins is that big.
Just like Cade Cunningham last season, Ausar Thompson is poised to make a monumental leap in the rankings, as ESPN just flat-out got this one wrong and Thompson is about to prove it.