Despite calls from some fans arguing against it, the Detroit Pistons decided to retain their young core after the playoff disappointment in 2026. They are still committed to their core trio of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson. They also didn't want to give up on Ron Holland entering Year 3 despite concerns about his long-term fit next to Duren and Thompson.
The front office continues to be committed to Holland and his development. But the 21-year-old small forward has to take a big step forward to justify this commitment.
The Pistons have until October 31 to make a decision on Holland's fourth-year option. They can either pick it up and keep Holland on the books for $11.5 million in the 2027-28 season, or decline it and let him hit free agency next offseason.
What should the Pistons do with Ron Holland's fourth-year option?
As much as the Pistons like Holland, $11.5 million is a lot of money for a player who has proven as little as Holland has so far. Ideally, the Pistons would love to see how this season plays out before deciding to pay Holland, but there is a real risk involved with that approach. If the former fifth-overall pick has a breakout campaign, it will cost the Pistons a lot more than $11.5 million to retain Holland.
That is why the next few weeks will be crucial for both Holland and the Pistons. The young wing continued to look like a defensive difference-maker in the first preseason game against the Suns, putting up five steals and two blocks in 24 minutes. But he did little to assuage concerns about his offensive fit.
Holland finished with just one assist and three turnovers and went 4/12 from the field, 1/4 from three, and 5/8 from the free-throw line for 14 points.
Defensively, Holland can wreak havoc. This allows the Pistons to go out in transition and score easy points. In transition, Holland is an effective player. In half-court offense, however, things get trickier.
The third-year player has made 24.6% of his threes so far in his career. He hasn't shown much of a knack for passing and playmaking either. So, he becomes a spacing concern. For a team that already has Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, this is a difficult problem to overcome. Can Holland really play extended minutes next to two non-shooters who are two of the three best players on the team?
Perhaps the best path here is for the Pistons to pick up Holland's fourth-year option but be open to trading him at the deadline or next summer. There will probably be a team willing to take a chance on a young, versatile win. There are teams where Holland can be a better fit. In return, the Pistons can get more shooting and offensive juice.
If Holland isn't off to a good start to the season and he looks like the same player from the first two years of his career, then the Pistons should seriously consider declining the team option. Both decisions would be justifiable for Detroit, given Holland's underwhelming production for a fifth-overall pick and untapped potential.
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