Detroit Pistons Get Revealing Reality Check On Trade Asset

Getty

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 09: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons warms up prior to Game Three against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Detroit Pistons didn’t hit on each of their top targets in the offseason, so it’s hard to count them out from making moves as the 2026-2027 NBA season plays out.

Being in a win-now situation, the Pistons are going to have to search for trades if they aren’t firing off with something close to a repeat of last year’s No. 1 seed campaign.

While ranking each team’s trade assets, Bleacher Report placed Detroit just outside of the top 10 (No. 12, to be exact).

It was noted that Ausar Thompson is the most valuable trade asset, next to the veteran center, Jalen Duren. Currently, Thompson is on an $11.1 million salary.

Detroit Pistons Get Revealing Reality Check On Trade Asset

“[Ausar Thompson] would instantly fit anywhere, despite the fact that he’s yet to prove himself an NBA-level shooter,” BR’s Andy Bailey wrote.

“The biggest strength of this collection, though, is probably the fact that Detroit controls all of its own first-round picks. Even for a team that figures to be in the playoffs for the foreseeable future, that’s a big deal.”

Thompson just wrapped up his third season in the NBA. Last year, he played in 73 games, seeing the court for 26.0 minutes per game.

The veteran wing shot 52.5% from the field, and hit on 25.0% of his threes, producing 9.9 points per game.

Defensively, Thompson came down with 5.7 rebounds per game and snatched up 2.0 steals per game. He established himself as one of the NBA’s top wing defenders during his rookie effort, and that has been the case since.

Should The Pistons Shop Ausar Thompson?

The idea that the Pistons could shop Ausar Thompson doesn’t seem realistic. All signs have pointed to the Pistons wanting to lock up Thompson long-term when the time is right.

At the same time, there are very few true untouchables in the NBA. Cade Cunningham is the only one for the Pistons. And although the Pistons have interest in keeping Thompson around long-term, the Jalen Duren situation is evidence that there won’t be any overpays.

In the future, if there is a market of teams that want to toss the sign-and-trade proposition around for Thompson–just as the Lakers and the Kings did with Duren–I can’t imagine the Pistons wouldn’t listen.

Detroit might not be shopping Thompson, but he could be a player that generates a lot of trade interest over time.