Team
Latest Sporzzio coverage, playoff reads, and explainers about the Detroit Pistons.
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Duren’s reported agreement secures Detroit’s center, but its annual structure remains unconfirmed. Ausar Thompson’s extension creates a separate payroll jump in 2027-28, making the timing of the two deals important.
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At the current salary-cap projection, Duren’s qualifying offer followed by a four-year maximum elsewhere would total about $198.8 million—roughly matching Detroit’s reported $200 million offer, with much less certainty.
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Thompson’s defense already changes playoff game plans. Detroit’s investment depends on preserving that advantage while finding more reliable ways for him to contribute around Cade Cunningham.
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The 2026-27 NBA season begins October 20 with an NBC and Peacock tripleheader and ends April 11. Here are the biggest games, broadcast details and the reason each team initially has only 80 assigned matchups.
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The 2026 NBA Cup begins October 30, sends eight teams to single-elimination play and ends December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Here are the groups, national TV schedule, tiebreakers and impact on the 82-game season.
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Jalen Duren remains a restricted free agent because he and Detroit have not agreed on his long-term price. The Pistons retain matching rights and reportedly intend to keep him, so the delay reflects a valuation standoff rather than a confirmed split.