Who will be the The Detroit Pistons best player in three years? It’s not hard to assume that Cade Cunningham, whose contract was recently extended, will hold that title.
But Bleacher Report Andy Bailey also has another player in mind: Ausar Thompson.
List of predictions for each NBA team best player of the next years, BR It’s understandable that Cunningham is the Pistons’ choice, with Thompson getting honorable mention.
“Ausar Thompson has even more room to improve than Cunningham in terms of shooting, but he’s an inch taller and a much more explosive athlete,” Bailey wrote. “He also has the potential to be a top-tier playmaker. And he’s already an absolute threat on defense. His skill set needs to be refined, but Thompson’s size and explosiveness give him superstar potential.”
When thinking about Pistons players who could be considered the face of the team alongside Cunningham, many might prioritize young center Jalen Duren. Thompson’s rookie season clearly had a positive impact in that case.
After being selected fifth overall in 2023, Thompson immediately landed a role in Detroit. Earning early playing time wasn’t too surprising, given the Pistons are in the midst of a rebuild. Thompson has made the most of his minutes, though.
In 63 games, Thompson averaged 25 minutes. He started more than half of those games. Offensively, Thompson’s weakness continued to be a problem, as he shot less than 20 percent from three-point range. Still, he managed to be productive enough to average nine points per game on 48 percent shooting.
During his time in the Overtime Elite, Thompson shone on defense. He continued to have the same impact in Detroit. Thompson averaged one steal and one block per game. He recorded six rebounds per game. The young veteran is already considered one of the best young defenders in the game.
Even a small step in the right direction on offense would be a huge step forward for Thompson. The Pistons are counting on a handful of young players to flourish after spending big on them, and Thompson has certainly been selected to become a future face of the franchise.