Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson has established himself as a core member of the team’s rotation. Entering his third NBA season, much like his brother, Amen Thompson, the 22-year-old is expected to make strides in development.
To that end, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has already outlined a bigger role for the forward in the team’s rotation this season. While speaking with The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson, he mentioned:
“That’s something we’re going to do more of. The tempo that [Thompson] plays at when he has the ball in his hands, and the threat that he becomes when he has the ball in his hands, changes the way that teams have to guard him. He has the ability to make his teammates better.”
The Pistons primarily feature a half-court offense led by their star, Cade Cunningham. While this has proven to be quite successful, owing to Cunningham’s virtuoso abilities as a floor general, having Ausar Thompson embrace the role of a secondary ball-handler could also prove to be worthwhile.
“Teams decide they want to pick Cade up full court, and sometimes because of the gravity he holds, people just hug up on him,” Bickerstaff added. “Now his defender has to play off a screen or off a shift, and it just makes him a better offensive player when people can’t get their hands on him to wrestle and hold him.”
The Thompson twins are among the most athletically gifted players in the NBA. When considering sheer lateral quickness and speed, having Ausar Thompson lead the offense in certain sets could add an element of unpredictability to Detroit’s offensive identity, potentially making them a more effective unit.
How Important Will Ausar Thompson’s Development Be?
Ausar Thompson has been viewed as one of the most promising two-way prospects in the NBA alongside his brother. Although Amen is typically considered to have more potential to become an All-Star, Ausar doesn’t pale in comparison.
Last season, the 22-year-old showed notable growth from his rookie season, averaging 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, shooting 53.5% from the field.
While his impact on the defensive end remains consistent, along with his growing threat as a slasher and off-ball player, having him develop as a ball-handler and playmaker could be significant for Detroit.
“Ausar is a guy who can initiate offense at a high level,” Cunningham said. “Giving him room to get more and more comfortable with it as the preseason goes along, I think that’ll be a big weapon for us.”
Although he has started slowly this preseason, Detroit is counting on the forward to become a significant contributor in the rotation.
With the Pistons looking to carve out a space for themselves in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference next season, having players such as Thompson develop in their roles will be crucial.
