The Detroit Pistons are heading toward a pivotal 2026 offseason after failing to reach rookie scale extension agreements with center Jalen Duren and guard Jaden Ivey before Monday’s deadline.
According to Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press, the team’s decision not to finalize deals sets up a busy and potentially complicated summer of negotiations.
As Sankofa explained, both Duren and Ivey are now on track to enter restricted free agency next year, giving Detroit the right to match any outside offers but also opening the door for other teams to test their market value.
At the same time, veteran forward Tobias Harris will hit unrestricted free agency, as he is not eligible for an extension before his current contract expires.
The front office will also have to consider a possible rookie scale extension for 2023 lottery pick Ausar Thompson, who becomes eligible in July.
In other words, Detroit could find itself juggling three significant contract discussions at once – with two key young starters and a proven veteran – shaping the next phase of its rebuild.
While Duren and Ivey are expected to earn sizable new deals if they perform well in 2025–26, Thompson’s ceiling might be the highest of the group.
A strong third season could make him the Pistons’ most valuable young asset, especially after an offseason focused on development and recovery.
Cade Cunningham, the team’s cornerstone guard, expressed confidence that Thompson is primed for a major leap.
“Ausar had a great summer,” Cunningham said in September. “I think he’s really going to make a lot of noise this year. He’s going to wake a lot of people up in a loud way.”
Thompson, for his part, isn’t focused on labels like “breakout season” but instead on maintaining consistency and mindset.
“I don’t think about (having a breakout season), but if my mentality is where I want it to be every single game, then I should be able to do that,” he said.
Central Notes: Pistons, Thompson, Giannis, Middleton, Jones https://t.co/CRaUVw4han pic.twitter.com/s48fvW293V
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 21, 2025
