According to Shams Charania, the Detroit Pistons have claimed Isaac Jones off waivers, a six-foot-8 big man who previously played for the Sacramento Kings.
The Detroit Pistons have claimed former Sacramento Kings center Isaac Jones off free agency waivers, sources tell ESPN. The second-year big man occupies the Pistons' 15th roster spot.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2025
It’s a somewhat surprising signing, as most believed the Pistons were keeping that spot open for Malik Beasley (more on that in a minute) and Jones wasn’t on anyone’s radar.
He appeared in 40 games last season for the Kings, mostly in mop-up duty and didn’t do anything worth noting. He was a late bloomer who is already 25 years old in his second season, but he does have a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan and can play above the rim, so has some potential as a defender.
Jones is not likely to see the floor, but his signing does raise some interesting questions for the Pistons.
Is the Malik Beasley saga finally over for Detroit?
Not necessarily.
Jones is almost certainly on some sort of non-guaranteed minimum deal, so the Pistons could cut him at any time. This won’t affect whether they sign Beasley or not but may be a sign that they aren’t going to wait forever either.
Beasley has been dropping all sorts of hints, but so far there is no end to the NBA or federal investigation in sight, so the Pistons can’t just assume he’ll be cleared to play at some point this season.
It’s a tough position to be in, as I am sure both sides would like a reunion, but Isaac Jones won’t affect it in the least.
Is Tobias Harris going to miss significant time?
So far, Harris listed as day-to-day with a sprained ankle, but you do have to wonder if this move is an indication that he might miss more time than originally expected.
Again, it’s not like Jones is going to come in and play rotation minutes, but he might provide a warm body if their power forward depth is going to be tested with Harris out.
Isaiah Stewart has done well replacing Harris in the starting five, and Ron Holland has held his own, but it’s still arguably the Pistons’ thinnest position, even with all of the injuries to the guards.
Let’s hope this isn’t a sign that Harris is going to miss weeks instead of days.
Jones may be cut before you finish this sentence, so I don’t expect he’ll have a long career in Detroit, and we have to hope it’s not a sign that the Pistons suddenly need some emergency depth.
We'll see if this is just a forgettable roster move or a sign of something else.