The Detroit Pistons are putting their money where their… Well, money is. After signing Ausar Thompson to a five-year, $155 million contract extension, Detroit featured the up-and-comer in a far more expansive offensive role in the preseason opener.
Though any team can give a player more touches, the Pistons are taking their empowerment to a critical new level by running plays for Thompson they simply weren’t a season ago.
Thompson finished the Pistons’ 2026-27 preseason opener with 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block on 5-of-8 shooting from the field. What turned heads wasn’t his production, however, but the manner in which he operated on the offensive end of the floor.
Thompson functioned as a primary ball-handler during the second half and knocked down multiple midrange jump shots along the way. It was a promising sign that a year-four leap could be in store for a player who’s elite on defense, but faces rational questions about his jump shot and all-around offensive game.
As the ALL NBA Podcast revealed, the Pistons weren’t just along for the ride, but active in setting ball screens for him in a way they rarely did during the 2025-26 season.
Per the tracking data, Ausar received 10 on-ball picks in the Pistons' first preseason game (1.5 points per direct). He only received double-digit picks in a game 5 times ALL of last season https://t.co/9GpeSgYvv8
— ALL NBA Podcast (@ALLCITY_NBA) October 7, 2026
A preseason opener may not reveal much about what the regular season will entail, but if this trend continues, then the Pistons will be giving Thompson the keys to meaningful growth.
Pistons set 10 on-ball picks for Ausar Thompson in preseason opener
Thompson’s offensive evolution relies on several moving pieces falling into place—and none are guaranteed to land where they’re meant to. The biggest focal point, however, is that he needs to be able to punish teams that leave him open after shooting 25.0 percent on 24 three-point field goal attempts and 26.3 percent on 38 midrange attempts in 2025-26.
Considering he shot 2-of-2 on midrange jumpers and 3-of-4 outside of the restricted area in the preseason opener, there’s early reason for optimism in regard to improvement.
If Thompson can sustain his growth in that regard, then his offensive role will be far easier to expand. He’s dynamic on the drive as a powerful and explosive athlete, and he finishes with efficiency in the restricted area. Unfortunately, he struggles to score with any sense of reliability everywhere else on the court.
That includes the fact that Thompson shot just 38.1 percent on the 197 shots that he attempted in the paint but outside of the restricted area in 2025-26.
Detroit set 10+ on-ball picks for Thompson just five times in 2025-26
The good news is that Detroit isn’t just hoping to see improvement; it’s been active in its efforts to facilitate it. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff acknowledged as much when he stated that, “[Thompson]'s got to be the lead dog out there with the ball in his hands so he can continue to take those steps.”
Thankfully, the Pistons aren’t just giving Thompson the ball and hoping for improved results—they’re actively scheming to put him in the best position to succeed. If Thompson rewards the Pistons’ strategic investment, then the offense should improve dramatically overall.
Thompson’s evolution into even a secondary ball-handler would take immense pressure off of Cade Cunningham. In 2025-26, Cunningham was one of just two Pistons to average at least 13.5 points per game and the only player on the roster to average at least 4.0 assists. Suffice it to say, Detroit has a shot creation problem to resolve.
Thankfully, by making it a priority to run plays for Thompson and put him in a position to succeed as a scorer and playmaker, the Pistons are taking meaningful steps toward a new offensive role and all-around growth.
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