The Pistons are committing to Ausar Thompson because his defense can force opponents to change who handles the ball and where they attack. His reported five-year, $155 million extension secures that unusual ability, while leaving Detroit with an important offensive problem: making him dangerous enough that defenders cannot freely leave him to crowd Cade Cunningham.

The agreement was reported September 18. According to the Detroit Free Press, it contains no opt-outs and runs from 2027-28 through 2031-32. Thompson will first complete the final season of his rookie contract, earning approximately $11.1 million in 2026-27. The extension averages $31 million annually; that is not his salary for the coming season. Detroit Free Press

What Detroit gets beyond steals

Thompson finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned first-team All-Defense honors last season. NBA.com

After Cleveland eliminated Detroit in Game 7 of their second-round series, Kenny Atkinson explained that the Cavaliers had deliberately moved the ball away from Thompson. “If he’s near the ball, throw it to someone else,” was how Atkinson described the adjustment. He also said Cleveland had given Evan Mobley more ball-handling responsibility because of Thompson. 97.1 The Ticket

By making an opponent move the ball away from its preferred ball-handler, Thompson can force an offense to work through less comfortable options even when he never records a steal.

Cleveland also demonstrated the limit. Its starting guards combined for one turnover in Game 7 after committing 11 in Game 6, and Thompson finished the deciding game without a steal. The Cavaliers’ successful response showed why Detroit cannot expect one defender to control every playoff possession. 97.1 The Ticket

The shooting problem is bigger than a percentage

Thompson made six of 24 three-point attempts across 73 regular-season games in 2025-26. The 25% accuracy matters, but so does the volume: opponents rarely had to account for him taking that shot. His 52.5% overall field-goal percentage therefore describes a very different offensive role from that of a perimeter shooter. Basketball-Reference

When Thompson waits outside the arc, his defender can position himself closer to Cunningham’s driving lane. Detroit needs either a credible shot from Thompson or a way to involve him that makes leaving him costly.

One possible answer is to use him as a screener for Cunningham. If both defenders follow Cunningham in that action, Thompson could receive the ball moving toward the basket and choose between finishing and passing. Cutting behind a defender who turns toward Cunningham offers another route. Neither action requires Thompson to become a high-volume shooter, although both demand timely decisions and enough space from the other players.

Free throws are part of this problem, too. Thompson made 109 of 191 attempts last season, or 57.1%. Getting him closer to the rim helps less if possessions ending in fouls produce too few points. Land of Basketball

Thompson’s own description of his goals fits that broader task. Speaking to the Free Press on September 18, he emphasized attacking the basket, reaching the foul line and drawing defenders into the paint. Detroit Free Press

Detroit does not need every one of those improvements at once. More dependable free throws would make his drives more productive; quicker passing would help him exploit extra attention on Cunningham; a credible outside shot would give the lineup more freedom. The contract’s upside lies in those attainable additions to a defensive role that already forces opponents to adjust their game plans.