Ausar Thompson, Pistons, Agree To $155 Million Extension

Just a few hours after Pelle Larsson’s contract extension with the Miami Heat, the Detroit Pistons have struck a deal with their young shooting guard Ausar Thompson. It marks the latest in a growing list of 2023 draftees to secure a long-term extension, and this one carries major implications.

Up to now, Thompson was sitting on a one-year expiring deal worth $11.1 million and was on track to become a premium free agent next offseason. This extension keeps him in Detroit for another five seasons, at the cost of roughly $31 million per year.

“Detroit Pistons All-Defensive forward Ausar Thompson has agreed to a five-year, $155 million rookie-scale contract extension with the franchise,” reported Shams Charania on Friday. “Thompson lands the fully guaranteed extension after making first-team All-Defense and finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season.”

Cade Cunningham is the star of the show for the Pistons, and he proved it last season by leading them to the best record in the Eastern Conference (60-22). But when it comes to everyone else, the Pistons see Thompson as the most valuable, even more so than big man Jalen Duren. With averages of 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on 52.5% shooting last season, his stats are relatively modest on paper, but Ausar makes a big impact with his All-NBA defense on the wing.

As for how Thompson’s deal will affect Jalen Duren’s contract talks, it can’t be good. He already felt disrespected and undervalued this summer, and now he has to wrestle with the fact that his teammate got extended before he did.

“Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has held concurrent negotiations with two priority players in restricted free agent Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson,” Shams added. “The Pistons have remained engaged in talks with Duren since June, offering a contract in the $190-plus million range, and thus far the two sides have been dug in, with Detroit believing it has made fair offers while Duren has wanted more.”

Duren and the Pistons aren’t that far apart in negotiations, but they are effectively deadlocked, as neither side is willing to budge. What happens next is unclear, but Duren may very well be inclined to accept his qualifying offer to bet on himself next offseason.

Regardless of that situation, the Pistons have still managed to secure their future and establish their core for the foreseeable future. Between Cade, Thompson, John Collins, and Duncan Robinson, the team clearly has enough to stay competitive and challenge the likes of the Knicks, 76ers, and Cavaliers, but it could take further roster moves to put them in position for a lasting playoff run.

For now, at least, the Pistons will take solace in locking down Thompson, who has proven to be one of the league’s most versatile defensive wing players. If he can maintain that skill set while expanding his offensive arsenal, Thompson will more than live up to this massive new deal. At just 23, the best is yet to come, and he and his brother (Amen) have just made history as the first siblings to each receive a $100 million NBA deal.