During the Pistons’ rebuild, one of the organization’s strengths has been its commitment to a youthful core that can grow together towards success as put in place by President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon. 

To that effect, Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham is the leader of Detroit’s squad, and he’s the oldest out of that core at a still-youthful 24-years old. Cunningham is joined by Jalen Duren (22), Jaden Ivey (23) and Ausar Thompson (22) that help make up one of the highest-ceiling cores in the NBA. That group has meshed well this season, and the Pistons have the top record in the Eastern Conference, so there certainly is a method to Langdon’s madness. 

Earlier today, ESPN released a list of the top young players in the league, a group of 25 players that are younger than 25 years old, and the Pistons were well-represented in the ranking. With Cunningham leading the way, the Pistons had three players selected to the list, underpinning the successful roster management from Langdon and co. over the past several years.

3. Cade Cunningham 

Age: 24

2025-26 stats: 27.5 PTS | 9.3 AST | 6.4 REB

Last year rank: 13

"For a second straight season, Cunningham is on an All-NBA pace. He ranks first in fourth-quarter points and second behind last year's MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in total clutch points. Cunningham has at least 20 points and 10 assists in 11 games this season.

To take the next step, Cunningham...

Needs to control his turnovers. Cunningham is averaging 3.9 per game (fourth most in the league) and already has seven games of at least five. -- Marks"

Only Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama were ranked above Cunningham on this list, and it’s debatable that he should be in second place. Cunningham is a complete player, can guard multiple positions, is growing more and more efficient, and he has the clutch gene that some players are simply born with. 

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14. Jalen Duren

Age: 22

2025-26 stats: 18.8 PTS | 11.5 REB | 65.5 FG%

Last year rank: NR

"After being left off the list his first three seasons, Duren is making a case for Most Improved Player and an All-Star spot. Duren is one of four players to average at least 18 points and 11 rebounds. The other three are Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns. Duren is also one of four players in NBA history with 2,500 points and 2,000 rebounds before turning 22.

To take the next step, Duren...

Study two of the better passing bigs: Jokic and Alperen Sengun. Duren has improved in almost every statistical category except assists. He ranks 32nd among centers in assists per game (1.8) and in the 20th percentile among all bigs in assist to usage ratio, per Cleaning the Glass. -- Marks"

Duren is truly having a breakout season now in his fourth season as a pro, averaging a career-best in points and while continuing to pull down double-digit rebounds each night. Duren has grown considerably as a ball handler, and he’s once again a top-efficiency finisher at the rim. Cade and JD have formed one of the most lethal lob connections in the NBA, and Duren is still ascending as a player. There is room for him to grow and improve on defense, but in the meantime he’s turning into a legit second option for the Pistons on offense. 

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24. Ausar Thompson

Age: 22

2025-26 stats: 11.8 PTS | 6.0 REB | 1.5 STL

Last year rank: NR

"Thompson is the quarterback of a Pistons defense that ranks fourth in both efficiency and in total points off turnovers. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Thompson has held opponents to 40% as the contesting defender. That ranks fourth best among 291 players to contest at least 400 shots, per GeniusIQ tracking.

To take the next step, Thompson...

Needs to expand his range offensively. While Thompson is shooting better than 50% from the field, more than 75% of his field goal attempts have come within 10 feet of the rim. He has attempted just 0.8 shots per game from deep, ranking in the bottom 10% of all guards this season. -- Marks"

READ MORE: Jalen Duren Sees Ausar Thompson As League's Top Defender In No Time

Thompson is one of the most intriguing players in the league because although he is still raw in the developmental sense, the third-year point forward is already one of the top defensive specialists in the world. Thompson has innate athleticism and burst that cannot be coached, and his defensive instincts result in an aggressive, turnover-heavy approach that makes life difficult for opposing playmakers. 

Do you think ESPN was fair in ranking this Pistons trio? 

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