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3 biggest questions for the Detroit Pistons entering the offseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The clock has struck midnight.
What was a fairytale season for the Detroit Pistons has come to a close at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. After securing the 1-seed and completing a 3-1 comeback to win the first round, Detroit is now faced with some tough decisions entering the offseason.
Here are the top three priorities for the Pistons entering the 2026 offseason.
Should Jalen Duren be offered a max contract?
One of the biggest revelations for Detroit this season was the emergence of Jalen Duren. The big man set a career-high 19.5 points per game and added 10.5 rebounds.
He's likely to make an All-NBA team which would make him eligible for a five-year, $287 million supermax extension. Until then, he will be a restricted free agent.
Duren was phenomenal in the regular season and one of the biggest reasons Detroit secured the top seed. But his performance in the postseason has caused some questions. In games 3-5 against the Cavaliers he was held under 5 rebounds each contest.
His body of work is worth a max contract. However, the argument will be made that his postseason performance showed some glaring weaknesses.
The Pistons can either lose a valuable asset for nothing or potentially overpay to keep their guy in the building.
What to do with Tobias Harris?
Much like Duren, Tobias Harris was a key cog of the supporting cast in Detroit. Cade Cunningham is the clear alpha moving forward but you still need the pieces around him to succeed.
Harris averaged 13.3 points per game in the regular season but had some standout showings in the postseason. Most notably, he dropped 30 points in a series-clinching game 7 against the Magic.
MORE: Pistons trade rumors involve 2 potential stars to help Cade Cunningham
The veteran wing is the most seasoned playoff performer on the team alongside Duncan Robinson. Without him, the Pistons will bank on youth and Cunningham to lead the charge.
The key is what Harris's market will be. Are there hoards of teams clamoring for an above-average wing on both ends of the floor? Harris isn't a ceiling raiser but he's dependable.
How NBA front offices evaluate him will likely determine if he stays in the Motor City.
Can Ausar Thompson, Daniss Jenkins make a jump?
Ausar Thompson was one of the best defenders, not just on the Pistons, but in the entire NBA this season. His length and tenacity make him a fearsome opponent for any team. Yet his offense leaves much to be desired.
Just like his brother Amen, Ausar has a place in the league going forward. The question is can he develop into a shooter that forces teams to respect him from beyond the arc? It was evident in game 7 that the Cavs were willing to leave Thompson open and live with the results.
The Pistons hope that next year more teams will be wary of Thompson's offensive prowess.
Jenkins, on the other hand, was never expected to be this type of contributor. He started out as a two-way player, splitting time in the G-League and NBA. In February the Pistons signed him to a two-year NBA contract.
Jenkins was an excellent fill-in for Cade Cunningham who missed games due to injury in the regular season. But then in the playoffs Jenkins learned to play alongside his backcourt mate.
The undrafted ballhandler has now cemented himself as at least a role player, if not a key piece of Detroit's future. His development is now a primary focus for this team in years to come.
If Jenkins can raise his ceiling even higher, the Pistons could avenge this year's playoff woes.
With a player like Cade Cunningham at the helm, Detroit is set to contend in the east for years to come. The question is will they continue to take the 1 seed or will they battle in the lower tier of the conference?
These few offseason questions will give fans a better idea of what to expect in 2026-27.
MORE: Pistons vs. Cavs final score, results: Cleveland cruises to Eastern Conference Finals with Game 7 blowout
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