Jalen Duren Sees Ausar Thompson As League’s Top Defender In No Time

With Cade Cunningham drawing praise for his clutch performances and Jalen Duren in the midst of a career year, Pistons point forward Ausar Thompson may be the unsung hero on Detroit’s first-place squad this season.

Through 24 games, Cunningham has received most of the plaudits as the Pistons have etched out a 19-5 record on the season, and for good reason. Cunningham ranks No. 2 in the league for fourth-quarter scoring, and he’s propelled the Pistons to the most clutch wins in the NBA with 13. So, Cade has clearly played an instrumental role in the Pistons’ overwhelmingly successful start to the 2025-26 campaign. 

Duren, as well, has rightfully earned all the credit that has come his way of late. At the moment, JD is averaging 18.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, and he’s improved mightily as a ball handler and passer en route to what could be his first career All-Star appearance. 

But Thompson has grown into a role as the connective tissue for the Pistons. Able to impact the game on both ends, Thompson is a defensive ace who is growing into a more assertive playmaker on offense as well. Thompson has the requisite skills to initiate offense in the half-court, the speed to run the fast break in transition and the combination of length and timing to disrupt opposing teams when the Pistons need a stop. All together, Thompson is becoming one of the most complete wing players in the league, and he’s been invaluable to the Pistons’ early-season success.

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During a recent episode of Marcus and Markieff Morris’ podcast The Morris Code, Duren was a guest on the show, and they took some time to talk about the growth and development Ausar’s experienced, particularly on the defensive end of the court.

“Ausar Thompson is probably going to be the best defender in the league in less than two years,” Duren said. “His athleticism, his build– it’s unseen. I’ve never seen anybody move the way Ausar moves. It’s different, bro, and we’ve got the better twin”.

Duren spoke candidly and off the cuff when giving these remarks, which speaks to the level of belief that JD has in his teammate. Thompson has a rare blend of athleticism, burst, vision and tenacity that combine to create a defensive menace when he’s locked in. Thompson can comfortably guard four different positions on the court, which gives Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff more options to use with Detroit’s rotation. 

Thompson, who is averaging 11.8 points, 6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season, has been even more assertive with the ball in his hands of late. Thompson has the ability to create shots for himself or others on offense, and his development in that facet is helping Ausar become a truly complete, balanced player. 

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But at the moment, Duren sees Thompson as a defensive star in the making, a player who can blow up opposing gameplans with his aggressiveness and physicality alone. Thompson has grown into one of the toughest matchups to draw for wing players across the league, and Duren would not be surprised to see that growth be rewarded soon enough. 

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