TITLE: Pistons Weighed Dosunmu Deadline Deal, Focus Now Shifts to Duren and Thompson Extensions
SLUG: pistons-dosunmu-pursuit-duren-thompson-extensions
CONTENT:
The Detroit Pistons explored acquiring guard Ayo Dosunmu at February’s trade deadline but backed away when Chicago’s price rose, according to The Athletic. Minnesota ultimately landed the 24-year-old, sending Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to the Bulls for Dosunmu and Julian Phillips. Detroit’s front office was reluctant to surrender comparable assets with Dosunmu headed for unrestricted free agency this summer.
General manager Troy Weaver and his staff are instead prioritizing new contracts for two key young pieces. Center Jalen Duren becomes a restricted free agent on July 1, while forward Ausar Thompson is eligible for a rookie-scale extension. Thompson, a 2026 All-Defensive First Team honoree, could seek a deal in the neighborhood of Jalen Suggs’ five-year, $150.5 million agreement with Orlando. ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently projected a five-year, $162 million figure for the 22-year-old wing.
Cade Cunningham’s late-season surge further solidified his franchise-cornerstone status. After returning from a collapsed lung in April, the 24-year-old averaged 28.1 points, 7.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 40.2 percent from three during the postseason. His All-NBA First Team selection keeps him on track to qualify for a super-max extension—worth up to 35 percent of the salary cap—if he earns All-NBA honors again in 2027.
Detroit also continued pre-draft evaluations this week, hosting Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie on Wednesday. The 20-year-old, ranked No. 27 on ESPN’s Best Available list, averaged 23.2 points in his lone college season. The Pistons own the No. 21 overall pick but currently hold no second-round selections.
Source: Hoops Rumors
