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Detroit — Marcus Sasser's time with the Detroit Pistons is nearing an end after three seasons. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Detroit News on Wednesday morning that Sasser is expected to be traded to the Dallas Mavericks, who are currently considered the frontrunners to land the 6-foot-1 combo guard.
The news was first reported by NBA reporter Marc Stein.
A trade to the Mavericks would be a homecoming for Sasser, a Dallas native who became a three-star recruit at Red Oak High School. There is no indication of what the Pistons will receive in the expected deal; however, their decision to part with Sasser stems from the team's strong guard depth.
The Pistons have since added to their guard rotation this offseason. They traded for sharpshooter Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder and drafted Ebuka Okorie in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
More: New Piston Ebuka Okorie kept focus on improvement, not rankings, in high school
After being selected as a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Sasser seemed poised to become a crucial part of the Pistons' rebuilding efforts. As a rookie, he appeared in what's been a career-high 71 games, averaging 8.3 points in 19.0 minutes during the 2023-24 season.
Over the past two years, however, Sasser has faced challenges in securing playing time during Detroit's resurgence. His average playing time declined to 13.3 minutes per game over the last two seasons amid coach J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation.
Before the start of the 2025-26 season, Sasser came into training camp with a chance to establish a genuine role, but a right hip impingement injury sustained during preseason robbed him of the opportunity. The injury sidelined him for the first 23 games of the season. Upon his return in December, much of the Pistons' guard rotation already had been established.
"It was hard," Bickerstaff said in December while reflecting on Sasser's return. "The things that he had been through, the ups and the downs. There was a time when he started to ramp back up; the injury wasn't responding the way we hoped, and we had to reset.
"He is one of those guys who just put the work in. Last year, he was always ready when his number was called. You have a chance to be that way when you put in the work. It's a great moment for him. It speaks to the work that he has put in."
Throughout this past season, whenever Bickerstaff needed a spark off the bench, Sasser nearly always provided one. In the 13 games where he played 15 or more minutes, he averaged 10.3 points on 44.6% shooting from behind the arc.
More: Lakers, Celtics moves could leave Pistons' Jalen Duren in tough spot
One of his most significant moments of the season came during the Pistons' 128-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 30. He scored a season-high 19 points on 4-for-6 shooting from behind the arc, to go along with five assists and two steals.
During the postseason, Sasser played a vital role in helping the Pistons stave off elimination by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 on May 15. He scored nine points off the bench on 4-for-5 shooting in 18 minutes.
"It's all about staying ready," Sasser said after the win. "You never know when you are going to be called upon, whether off the bench or starting. That's been my mindset all season. Just staying ready."
[email protected]
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons' Marcus Sasser expected to be traded to Mavericks
Continue reading...
The news was first reported by NBA reporter Marc Stein.
A trade to the Mavericks would be a homecoming for Sasser, a Dallas native who became a three-star recruit at Red Oak High School. There is no indication of what the Pistons will receive in the expected deal; however, their decision to part with Sasser stems from the team's strong guard depth.
The Pistons have since added to their guard rotation this offseason. They traded for sharpshooter Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder and drafted Ebuka Okorie in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
More: New Piston Ebuka Okorie kept focus on improvement, not rankings, in high school
After being selected as a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Sasser seemed poised to become a crucial part of the Pistons' rebuilding efforts. As a rookie, he appeared in what's been a career-high 71 games, averaging 8.3 points in 19.0 minutes during the 2023-24 season.
Over the past two years, however, Sasser has faced challenges in securing playing time during Detroit's resurgence. His average playing time declined to 13.3 minutes per game over the last two seasons amid coach J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation.
Before the start of the 2025-26 season, Sasser came into training camp with a chance to establish a genuine role, but a right hip impingement injury sustained during preseason robbed him of the opportunity. The injury sidelined him for the first 23 games of the season. Upon his return in December, much of the Pistons' guard rotation already had been established.
"It was hard," Bickerstaff said in December while reflecting on Sasser's return. "The things that he had been through, the ups and the downs. There was a time when he started to ramp back up; the injury wasn't responding the way we hoped, and we had to reset.
"He is one of those guys who just put the work in. Last year, he was always ready when his number was called. You have a chance to be that way when you put in the work. It's a great moment for him. It speaks to the work that he has put in."
Throughout this past season, whenever Bickerstaff needed a spark off the bench, Sasser nearly always provided one. In the 13 games where he played 15 or more minutes, he averaged 10.3 points on 44.6% shooting from behind the arc.
More: Lakers, Celtics moves could leave Pistons' Jalen Duren in tough spot
One of his most significant moments of the season came during the Pistons' 128-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 30. He scored a season-high 19 points on 4-for-6 shooting from behind the arc, to go along with five assists and two steals.
During the postseason, Sasser played a vital role in helping the Pistons stave off elimination by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 on May 15. He scored nine points off the bench on 4-for-5 shooting in 18 minutes.
"It's all about staying ready," Sasser said after the win. "You never know when you are going to be called upon, whether off the bench or starting. That's been my mindset all season. Just staying ready."
[email protected]
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons' Marcus Sasser expected to be traded to Mavericks
Continue reading...
