After a long offseason, the Detroit Pistons held an open practice on Saturday with a notable absence to their attendance sheet
This weekend, the Detroit Pistons flung their doors open to welcome the public for an open practice with the 2026-27 campaign approaching in quick order. In just two days, the Pistons will suit up for their pre-season opener against the Phoenix Suns at Little Caesars Arena, so the team is rounding into form with an exhibition slate to follow.
As expected, All-Star center Jalen Duren was not part of the open practice festivities after signing his five-year, $200 million deal to remain in Detroit on Thursday. After such a drawn out negotiating period, the Pistons are keen to let the temperature cool on the Duren situation (at least publicly) while the big man continues to ramp back up.
But even without Duren, Pistons fans had their first look at several new arrivals from what was a busy offseason. John Collins is expected to assume Tobias Harris’ old position as the starting power forward in the Motor City, and his shooting motion looked fluid from three-point land throughout the open practice. Collins sprinkled in a few high-flying windmill dunks to showcase his athleticism and bounce as well, so Detroit should look a bit more dynamic with the skilled stretch-four on the squad.
Before the practice really jumped into swing, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had a message to deliver to the fans in attendance after a long summer.
”On behalf of the Detroit Pistons, not just for now but for the past two years, you guys have been amazing,” Bickerstaff said. “You guys have been a huge part of why we’ve been able to grow the way that we’ve grown. We appreciate the support. We feel the support, and we’re looking forward to another great year this year.”
To no surprise, Cade Cunningham was the focal point of the event and ran the fast-break, dished out lobs and even drilled a few triples of his own during the workout. For as smooth as Cunningham is known to be, he looked like a player who never got out of rhythm during the offseason.
As part of the Pistons’ renewed commitment to perimeter shooting, Detroit also brought in Isaiah Joe and Taurean Prince via separate offseason trades. Both 40% three-point shooters should help Detroit space the floor and add some perimeter gravity to the Pistons’ half-court equation for the upcoming season as veterans with playoff experience.
There are two other newcomers that are also worth paying attention to in point guard Ebuka Okorie and center Ugonna Onyenso, and the former helped push the pace and influence transition opportunities during the open practice. Onyenso, on the other hand, is a seven-footer who offers top-flight rim protection, but he may take longer to develop than his rookie counterpart.
After the practice, Okorie had to treat onlookers to an impromptu rendition of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” before the practice was offer, but the rook had Ron Holland II following each step of the way as his hype man. Holland also had an emphatic slam dunk in transition during the practice, so he wore a few different hats during the fan-filled weekend event.
