Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson was “big time” in the playoffs according to Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon
Now in the early stages of the offseason, there is a phrase gaining steam within Detroit Pistons circles that helps to explain Ausar Thompson’s versatility and value to the squad: ‘If you watch a basketball game, you might not see Ausar Thompson. But if you watch Ausar Thompson, then you’ll see the entire basketball game.’
After three seasons as a pro, Thompson has grown into one of the most dynamic wings in the game with a defensive intensity and effort-level that is unmatched across the league. Last year, Thompson finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting as the highest-ranking perimeter defender on the podium, and the Overtime Elite product not only carried that aggression into the postseason but elevated his defensive pressure to a new level in the playoffs.
As of May 16, Thompson had the most stocks (steals plus blocks) of any player in the postseason with 51 to his credit. During the first two rounds, Thompson registered more than two steals and two blocks per game as he worked to shut down opposing playmakers in the playoffs.
“He was big time,” Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon said yesterday. “I think he took a huge step last year. I think as this season went on, you saw how much he impacted the game on both ends of the floor. He put a lot of time into his offensive game last summer. I think he’ll do the same this summer, and I think he’ll come back with more confidence.”
Though Thompson is an elite on-ball defender at the point of attack, many critics have launched assessments that portray AT as an offensive liability without the threat of an outside jumper. While it is true that Thompson could serve to improve his comfort level and consistency in the pull-up game, Langdon felt it was prudent to remind everyone that Ausar has been forced to follow a non-linear growth schedule during his first few seasons in the Motor City.
“But remember kind of last year it wasn’t a full season for him,” Langdon said. “So, getting a full season under his belt and now being able to work a full summer, he worked summer but it wasn’t like he’s going to this year. We won’t have as many restrictions on him this summer as he had last summer, and so he’s going to be able to go out and do some serious work. I know he’s excited about that.”
Right now, Thompson will be entering the final season of his four-year rookie deal, and he’ll incur a paltry $11.1 million dollar cap hit for the Pistons during the 2026-27 campaign. The Pistons will have an opportunity to extend AT before next season kicks off in earnest so as to lock up the dynamic defender long-term, and Langdon sounded confident that Detroit would have no trouble reaching a contractual agreement with Thompson for years to come.
“But you’re not going to have to worry about Ausar Thompson putting in work and competing,” Langdon said. “That’s one thing about him is he competes at a high level, he’s team-first, he’s going to put in the work and he’s going to listen to the best way he needs to put in the work. So, we’re excited with our future with him.”
Thompson is only 23 years old, so his most impactful season are theoretically still ahead of him, and the Pistons want to be included in those moments.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
