Pistons Exercise 2026/27 Options on Daniss Jenkins and Tolu Smith
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The Detroit Pistons have exercised their team options on guard Daniss Jenkins and forward/center Tolu Smith for the 2026/27 season, according to a social media post from Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Jenkins’ option is valued at $4 million. Smith’s option is worth $2,411,090, though Smith’s salary will remain non-guaranteed until January 10.
Jenkins’ rapid rise
Undrafted out of St. John’s in 2024, Jenkins began last season on a two-way contract before emerging as a key contributor for the Eastern Conference’s top regular-season team. The 25-year-old appeared in 72 regular-season games, starting 19, and averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds across 20.2 minutes. He shot 40.8 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc while frequently logging crunch-time minutes.
Jenkins also played in 14 postseason contests, including three starts, posting 9.1 points, 3.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game. Shortly after the trade deadline, Detroit converted his deal to a standard two-year, $8 million contract. He is expected to remain a prominent part of the club’s backcourt rotation next year.
Smith’s frontcourt opportunity
Smith, a Mississippi State product, was elevated from a two-way contract to a standard deal just before the end of the regular season. The 6-11 big man appeared in 15 NBA games, averaging 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes, while spending most of the year with the G League’s Motor City Cruise. He saw limited action in three playoff games.
With Isaiah Stewart recently traded to Memphis, Smith could see an expanded role in Detroit’s frontcourt during the upcoming campaign.
Source: Hoops Rumors
