The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of intense contract negotiations with Jalen Duren. There is no end in sight to the stalemate between the two sides, and things could get ugly if it extends all the way into the fall.
Unfortunately, those are not the only contract talks the Pistons have to engage in this summer. Another key member of their core, Ausar Thompson, is eligible for an extension before his fourth season in the league.
The Pistons see the 23-year-old forward as an irreplaceable part of their team and will try very hard to sign him to a long-term extension. While the front office should certainly try to get an extension done this summer, there is no reason to rush the process. If they can get Thompson on a team-friendly contract, great. Otherwise, it would be wise to let next season play out and sit at the negotiating table next season.
Patience will be key in Detroit's contract talks with Ausar Thompson
As valuable as Thompson is, there is no reason for the Pistons to treat him as an indispensable star. He is one of the best defenders in the league, to be sure, but his offensive game is still a work in progress. He was a liability on that end in the halfcourt. So much focus has been given to his lack of shooting, but it's everything else in his offensive game that is even more worrisome.
It's not like Thompson is a good playmaker or a finisher. Despite his physical tools, Thompson doesn't pressure the rim like an elite athlete. He rarely finishes through contact or gets to the free-throw line. For a player who is arguably the worst shooter in the league among perimeter players, the rest of his offensive game is not good enough to justify a major investment.
Thompson can certainly get there, but the Pistons should wait to see if he can. If Thompson takes a major step next season and becomes an All-Star-caliber player, the Pistons will be thrilled to give him a near-max extension.
Right now, there may be too much downside to giving Thompson a contract that pays over $30 million per season for multiple years. The consensus seems to be that Thompson's extension will be between $30 and $35 million per year.
For this to be a positive value deal for the Pistons, Thompson has to show more offensively than he has so far. Detroit would be paying the player Thompson has the potential to become rather than the player he currently is.
This is what Detroit did with Duren last summer. The sides couldn't reach an agreement, so the Pistons were fine with letting Duren play on an expiring contract. The 22-year-old center was then able to deliver an All-NBA-caliber season and establish his value.
The Pistons would be wise to wait for Thompson to do the same. If they can get him on a new deal below $30 million per year, that would be a solid deal. If the asking price is above that, it would behoove the Pistons to have another year of evaluation.
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