4 Pistons with the most to lose this season

As much as fans don’t want to hear it, this is another transition year for the Detroit Pistons. They should improve, but no one is expecting them to compete for a playoff spot and the veterans they added are all short-term deals.

It’s a placeholder team as new team president Trajan Langdon tries to figure out what he has and how it all works. 

No one is safe from being traded and several players need productive seasons if they want to get to better situations or make more money on their next contracts.  

Here are the four Pistons with the most to lose. 

Tim Hardaway Jr. 

This one depends on what Tim Hardaway Jr. wants out of his time in Detroit, as he’s on an expiring contract. Play well, and he could be traded to a contender at the deadline, and if that goes well, could earn himself better numbers on his next contract. 

If THJ doesn’t play well, or doesn’t play much at all, he may still get traded, but will then be viewed more as a minimum guy going forward. There isn’t a ton at stake here, as THJ isn’t going to get another big deal either way, but he could get himself into a better situation to chase rings if that’s what he’s after. 

Marcus Sasser 

Sasser’s team option for the 2025-26 season has to be picked up by October 31st, so his tryout has already begun. The Pistons are likely to exercise it, as it is only $2.8 million, but there’s a possibility Sasser is playing out his last season with the Pistons. 

Assuming they do exercise that option, then Sasser is immediately playing for the next one, a substantial bump up to $5.1 million. If he solidifies himself as a productive part of the rotation this season, he’ll be up for a big pay raise at this time next year. 

Jalen Duren 

The Pistons will pick up Duren’s team option for 2025-26, but he still has plenty to lose this season. He’s still young, so he’ll be given more time than the other players on this list, but Duren has to make strides on defense. 

He’s extension-eligible next summer, and if he makes those strides, he’ll get a fat extension. If he does not, the Pistons might be more inclined to make him play out his contract or offer him something in the range of what Isaiah Stewart got on his extension.

Jaden Ivey 

All of the same things can be said about Ivey, but given he’s older and essentially plays the same position as Cade Cunningham, his chances at an extension rely even more heavily on improvement this season.