Detroit Pistons

Front office and bench

Ownership

Tom Gores

President of Basketball Operations

Trajan Langdon since 2024

Assistants

• Luke WaltonLead assistant coach
• Fred VinsonAssistant coach
• Kevin BurlesonAssistant coach
• Sidney LoweAssistant coach
• Vitaly PotapenkoAssistant coach
• Josh EstesAssistant coach

The direction

What the franchise says and what its moves show

Detroit, coming off 60 wins, keeps building around Cade Cunningham, now with Duren locked up long term. Trajan Langdon has stayed cautious and hasn't added the scorer or playmaker many were calling for, making the Pistons a candidate to make a move during the season. The next contract priority is Ausar Thompson.

Building around

Cade Cunningham Jalen Duren Ausar Thompson

What they have said

• At media day he admitted he hadn't spoken directly with Duren all summer, but said he expected to have him back, either on the qualifying offer or a long-term deal.

  President Trajan Langdon · Bleacher Report · September 2026

• He compared the negotiation to his time dealing with a difficult player in New Orleans and said the club only focuses on what it can control.

  President Trajan Langdon · Bleacher Report · September 2026

What the data points to

• Deadline buyer Very likely

  • Projects to 48.5 wins: built to compete now.
  • Can offer 3 first-round picks (2027, 2029, 2031).

Moves

Summer 2026

• Jalen Duren signs a five-year deal with $200M guaranteed (October 2), after a long restricted free agency standoff in which he skipped media day.
• They sign John Collins, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris.
• Isaiah Joe arrives in a trade that sends out Caris LeVert.
• Isaiah Stewart is traded to Memphis; Tobias Harris also departs.
• 2026 Draft: Ebuka Okorie (No. 17).

Latest

• Oct 17 Waived Waived F John Ukomadu. Waived G Brice Williams.
• Oct 2 Re-signing Re-signed C Jalen Duren to a contract.
• Oct 2 Contract Jalen Duren accepts 5-year, $200M deal from Pistons
• Sep 25 Waived Waived F Romeo Weems.
• Sep 24 Waived Waived G Jordan Riley.
• Sep 22 Extension Signed G Ausar Thompson to a rookie-scale contract extension. Waived G Drake Allen.

The roster

14 NBA contracts · 2026-27 salaries

Strengths and weaknesses

Today's roster, facet by facet (league rank)

• Defense 10th
• Rim protection 11th
• Three-point shooting 15th
• Playmaking 20th
• Scoring 9th
• Rebounding 16th
• Offensive impact 9th

Roster holes

• Weak in playmakingWith today’s rotation it ranks 20th in the league in playmaking.
• Only 1 center in the rotationOne injury leaves it without a backup in the paint.

Contracts and extensions

Expiring this season

• Paul Reed 26 years old · paid 5.6 M Salary coming off the books
• Javonte Green 32 years old · paid 3.9 M Salary coming off the books
• Daniss Jenkins 24 years old · paid 4.0 M Salary coming off the books
• Taurean Prince 31 years old · paid 3.8 M Salary coming off the books

Bargains (produce far above their salary, for several years)

None.

Pricey but short (paid more than they produce, but ending soon)

None.

Money and picks

Payroll 193.2 M Cap 165.0 M Tax 200.4 M 1st apron 209.0 M 2nd apron 221.7 M

Payroll

193.2 M · over the cap

Distance to each line

tax: 7.3 M below · 1st apron: 15.8 M below · 2nd apron: 28.5 M below

Next summer

199.3 M committed · no cap space

First-rounders it can trade

2027, 2029, 2031

Radar and possible trades

Players who fit and that it can afford

• Toumani Camara POR18.1 M · signed through 2029-30, produces above his salary
• Grayson Allen CHA18.1 M · signed through 2027-28
• Santi Aldama DAL17.0 M · signed through 2027-28

A trade that works under the CBA

Trade pieces

Assets

Jalen Duren (worth 22.6 M more than his salary), Javonte Green (worth 13.4 M more than his salary), Daniss Jenkins (worth 10.2 M more than his salary), Isaiah Joe (worth 5.6 M more than his salary)

Contracts that weigh

None

To match salaries

No expiring contract with a useful salary