The Detroit Pistons are heading into a crucial few years of the organization’s history. With Cade Cunningham leading the way, they’ll have a chance to either assert themselves as one of the top teams in the league for years or fade away into mediocrity. It will all depend on how they play their cards, and Ausar Thompson’s development should be one of their top priorities.
Thompson is probably the third-best player on the Pistons right now, sitting behind Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Although Duren technically isn’t on the team right now. Thompson is one of the best defenders in the league, and even though his offensive game isn’t the best, he still has plenty of room to grow (on both ends).
If the Pistons want to meaningfully improve and be one of the top teams for a long time, internal development will be the most important thing. And Thompson’s development may be more important than anyone else's.
Ausar Thompson's development is important for Pistons
Right now, Cunningham is the best player on the Pistons by a long shot. His offensive organization is essential to the team’s success, and if he can improve on both ends, the Pistons (and Cunningham) would be much better off.
Obviously, Duren’s development will also be important. He can make leaps on the offensive end, which would help solve some of the problems he ran into during the postseason last year.
Then, there are guys like rookie Ebuka Okorie, Ron Holland II, Daniss Jenkins, and even Isaiah Joe. If all of those guys can make leaps, it would seriously help the Pistons.
But Thompson’s growth is the most important of all. Because if he ends up improving enough on the offensive side of the ball, then he could turn into a legitimate two-way star.
Having a guy as great as Thompson is on the defensive end also be a reliable offensive threat would be a complete game-changer for the Pistons moving forward.
Thompson growing into a star is the best chance the Pistons have at pairing Cunningham with a true 1B, barring a significant trade. Duren is a great player. An All-Star. But a 1B? Unsure.
That’s why Thompson’s development – and contract extension next summer – is so important. He needs to improve. Cunningham needs him to improve. The Pistons need him to improve.
If he can take a major leap next season – a leap toward being a star – it would change the future outlook of the organization.
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