The Detroit Pistons announced their arrival this past season by ending the franchise's longstanding postseason drought with a roster that was, largely, comprised of young talent brought into the organization through the NBA draft.
With one front office executive recently telling Spotrac that the franchise is no longer the "cap-space Pistons" and is now the "playoff-Pistons," there is no doubt that the page has turned in the Motor City to a new era of Detroit basketball.
That change in philosophy means the Pistons can no longer be as patient in developing young talent that isn't already part of its core. Unfortunately, that has led to the end of a young guard's tenure with the organization as the record-setting NBA G League sharpshooter was waived Thursday night.
Pistons Cut Ties with Record-Setting Sharpshooter Ron Harper Jr.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Detroit has waived three-year veteran Ron Harper Jr. The decision came shortly after the Pistons came to an agreement with free agent wing Colby Jones on a two-way contract.
The Detroit Pistons are waiving two-way player Ron Harper Jr, league sources told @hoopshype. He averaged 16.2 points, including 39% shooting from 3-point range, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 37 games combined with the Motor City Cruise and Maine Celtics in the G League.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 24, 2025
This past season, Harper only appeared in one game with the Pistons, scoring four points to go along with seven rebounds and two assists. With the players who made up Detroit's backcourt this past season, there wasn't much of an opportunity for the former Rutgers University standout to get time at the NBA level.
He made the most of the opportunities he had in the G League, though. Less than one month after signing a two-way deal with Detroit, Harper set a Motor City Cruise record by knocking down 11 three-pointers in a single game. Not only did Harper break the team's previous record of seven, but he nearly doubled it.
Knocking down the 3-ball has been a strength for Harper since entering the league. In 56 career G League games, Harper has converted on 38% of his attempts (157/413) from beyond the arc. That is an impressive percentage for anyone with that many attempts, no matter who you are competing against.
With Jones, Daniss Jenkins, and Tolu Smith taking up Detroit's two-way contract slots, Harper will have to find a new home within the league. It remains to be seen just where that will be, but with his shooting ability from the perimeter, it would be surprising if he didn't wind up in a team's training camp later this fall.