← Back to team page·Research briefing — editorial context, not predictions
2026–27
Preseason Preview
DEEEEETRRRROITTTT BASKETBALLLLL.
Detroit enters the 2026–27 season coming off a 60-win campaign that ended with another disappointing playoff exit, leaving questions about whether this roster is built to take the next step. The Pistons added shooting and athleticism with John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, but lost important contributors in Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart and still lack a proven secondary creator alongside Cade Cunningham. With Jalen Duren’s future unresolved and much of Detroit’s upside dependent on internal growth from Duren and Ausar Thompson, the biggest challenge will be finding more reliable offense when playoff defenses load up on Cunningham. Detroit should remain one of the East’s stronger defensive teams, but its postseason ceiling may depend on whether Collins, Duren, Thompson or another player can emerge as a consistent second scoring option.
John Collins.
Bench scoring / spacing
Isaiah Joe
Veteran scoring / frontcourt depth
Gary Harris
Secondary creation / shot creation
Taurean Prince
Floor spacing / shooting
Tobias Harris
Floor spacing / shooting vacated
Caris LeVert
Bench scoring / spacing
Marcus Sasser
Bench scoring / spacing
Isaiah Stewart
Bench scoring / spacing
Ebuka Okorie
No. 17 — downhill creation / secondary ball-handling
Ugonna Onyenso
No. 53 — rim protection / two-way depth
| PG | Cade Cunningham |
|---|---|
| SG | Duncan Robinson |
| SF | Ausar Thompson |
| PF | John Collins |
| C | Jalen Duren |
How will Duren's contract dispute be resolved? Will it affect the team in the long run?
Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons are in a contract stalemate ahead of an October 1 deadline, with Duren reportedly seeking a deal worth over $200 million while the team's offer sits closer to $190 million. The dispute has grown emotional following Ausar Thompson's recent extension, forcing Detroit to weigh a long-term deal against Duren potentially playing on a $9.6 million qualifying offer.
Who will step up as the consistent secondary scorer come playoff time?
Last season, Detroit’s second-leading scorer during the regular season, Jalen Duren, struggled mightily to produce offensively in the playoffs. With Tobias Harris, the Pistons’ second-leading postseason scorer, now in San Antonio, Detroit will need someone to consistently relieve the scoring pressure on Cade Cunningham. Will Duren overcome his postseason offensive struggles? Can Ausar Thompson make the offensive leap? Or can John Collins fill the scoring void left by Harris?
PG · 6'4" · Age 25
What we're watching
Daniss Jenkins emerged as a reliable rotation piece last season, providing scoring and secondary playmaking off the bench. Entering 2026–27, he should remain an important part of Detroit’s second unit with a chance to earn a larger role through consistent production and decision-making.
View PlayerSG · 6'4" · Age 27
What we're watching
Isaiah Joe gives Detroit a proven high-volume three-point threat who should immediately improve the spacing around Cade Cunningham. His catch-and-shoot ability and defensive effort also make him a strong fit for a Pistons team that wants to create offense from its defense.
View Player
SF · 6'7" · Age 23
What we're watching
Two-way wing with a minutes upside case. Track defensive assignments, transition involvement, and whether starting runway sticks once the rotation compresses.
View Player| Player | Previous Role | 2026–27 Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham | Primary creator | Stable |
| Jaden Ivey | Secondary option | Opportunity ↑ |
| Ausar Thompson | Two-way wing | Minutes ↑ |
| Jalen Duren | Starting center | Development ↑ |
| Tobias Harris | New to Detroit | Role TBD |
When Cade sits
Which teammates historically absorb minutes, usage, assists, or shot volume in games he misses? Treat prior with/without splits as descriptive history — not a guarantee in a new lineup.
Spacing companions
Monitor which shooters share the floor with the primary creator most often in preseason. Court Context will later compare those combinations against historical participation splits where sample allows.
Historical with/without results describe what occurred in previous games and do not guarantee the same effect in a new lineup.
Open WOWY explorerDetroit's preseason may be less about one dramatic change and more about how opportunities redistribute throughout the rotation. The biggest signal to watch is which players gain minutes, touches, and creation responsibility alongside Cade Cunningham — and whether those patterns hold once the regular season compresses the bench.
