Pistons sign Ausar Thompson to $155 million extension as Jalen Duren remains in limbo
As Jalen Duren remains a restricted free agent, the Pistons have agreed to terms with Ausar Thompson.Thompson, already one of the NBA’s elite perimeter defenders, signed a $155 million extension over five seasons, averaging $31 million per season, according to multiple reports.Thompson, 23, was the No.5 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, one spot after his twin Amen, who agreed to a five-year, $208 million extension with the Rockets in early September, making them the highest-paid set of twins in NBA history.The Pistons and Duren remain at a summer-long standstill, with reports that the center is tied to a possible deal with the Kings, although Detroit remains keen on retaining the All-Star center.Ausar Thompson finished No.
3 in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2026 behind Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama and Thunder standout Chet Holmgren.The Oakland, Calif., native was also named to the All-Defensive First Team, becoming the Pistons’ All-Defense honoree since Tayshaun Prince in 2008, and the first to achieve the coveted first team distinction since 2006.Thompson averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season while leading the NBA with 2.0 steals per contest.In the playoffs, he dropped to 8.2 points per game, although his rebounds soared to 7.9 per contest, with his assists and steals remaining at 3.1 and 2.0, respectively.
The uber-athletic wing shot 52.5 percent from the field during the regular season and still hit over 50 percent from the field during the postseason.Duren, who capped off his fourth season, finished 2026 as the runner-up for Most Improved Player to winner Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Hawks.
Duren finished with 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on 65 percent shooting last season while earning his first All-Star bid.The 22-year-old averaged 11.5 points and 10.2 rebounds in his first three seasons.Duren, however, dropped off significantly in the playoffs, finishing with averages of 10.2 p...