Pistons Notes: Defense, Green, Thompson, Jenkins, Sasser
The Pistons’ game plan is generally the same for each game — play suffocating defense and take the starch out of the opposition. That’s what happened in Game 2 of their first-round series against No. 8 seed Orlando. The Pistons are now on the road for a pivotal Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
“It was five guys out there, collectively flying around, playing with effort, making extra efforts, rebounding the basketball, creating turnovers, and that led to our offense,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, per Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “It’s who we are and who we’ve been and that’s what our focus is. Again, give Orlando credit, they are a good basketball team. We have to make sure that we’re focused and doing the things that we’ve done and I thought that third quarter was an example of that and our ability to turn defense to offense.”
Their defensive effort has held Desmond Bane, the Magic’s major offseason acquisition, in check. Bane is shooting 29 percent from the floor in the series.
“It’s a lot of guys, and a lot of bodies,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s no one-on-one situations for him, it’s always one-on-fives. Obviously, Ausar (Thompson) has taken on a lot of that responsibility, but a lot of guys have done a great job of executing what we’re trying to do from a game plan standpoint and not giving them anything easy.”
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Javonte Green appeared in all 82 regular season games and he’s been a key component off the bench in the series. Green has only attempted one shot in each game but he’s been a defensive force. In Game 2, he blocked three shots and made a steal while guarding multiple positions. “(Green)’s been that way all year for us,” Bickerstaff said, per Coty Davis of the Detroit News. “In that game, his effort on the defensive end of the floor, with the plays that he can make, is special. He has the ability to challenge shots and do hard things over and over again. He makes amazing plays with his athleticism, but he’s very thoughtful in the game, too. He is also very thorough and understands where the spots will be for him to make plays.” Green will be a free agent again after the season — he signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal last August.
- Thompson finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year balloting and has put his defensive prowess on display against Bane while contributing in other areas. “You don’t meet many players who can cover ground, and then if there’s a play that needs to be had at the rim, can also be a secondary rim protector for you as well,” assistant coach Jarrett Jack told Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. “Whether he’s hawking the ball, making it tough for guys, eating up clock coming up the basketball court or if he’s in space, (he’s unique).”
- Not only are Daniss Jenkins and Marcus Sasser the point guard backups to Cade Cunningham, they’re also childhood friends. They grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but didn’t get a chance to play together until Jenkins joined the Pistons, as Jeff Zillgitt of NBA.com details. “It’s definitely a dream come true because we wanted to go to the same high school, but it did not end up happening,” Sasser said. “And then we wanted to go to the same college. He was going to transfer to Houston, but it couldn’t happen. Now it’s crazy that we were able to finally get it at the highest level where everyone could see it.”
- Jalen Duren finished second in the voting for the league’s Most Improved Player. Get the details here.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Detroit Pistons
For the rest of the regular season and postseason, Hoops Rumors is taking a closer look at players who will be free agents – or could become free agents – during the 2026 offseason. We’ll consider whether each player’s stock is rising or falling due to his performance and several other factors.
Today, we’re focusing on a handful of Pistons players, starting with an All-NBA candidate who had a breakout fourth season in Detroit.
Pistons Notes: Bickerstaff, Thompson, Green, Duren, Cunningham
After dropping Game 1 at home to the Magic, the Pistons once again struggled to get their offense going in the first half of Game 2. But things turned around when the third quarter got underway, fueled in part by a passionate halftime outburst from head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, ESPN’s Ohm Yungmisuk writes.
“He really got on us in the locker room,” forward Tobias Harris said. “[His message was] there is no more of ‘my bads.’ It’s like they’re out there hustling, getting offensive boards on us. And there’s too many of them for us [to allow] as a group. We know that’s not our standard.”
Bickerstaff loved how his team responded to the adversity, putting together a 30-3 run on the back of good shooting and tenacious defense.
“That’s us,” said Isaiah Stewart, who had a major impact with 10 points and two blocks. “That’s what we were talking about. If we just be who we are, who we’ve been all season long, we’d be just fine.”
We have more from the Pistons:
- While their names might not show up in the headlines as often as some, Ausar Thompson and Javonte Green were heroes in their own right in Game 2, Marlowe Alter writes for the Detroit Free Press. A Defensive Player of the Year finalist, Thompson struggled with fouls in the first half, but came out in the third quarter and shut down the Magic’s offense, registering a pair of big steals that helped the Pistons build their momentum. Green, meanwhile, managed to impact the game without hitting a shot. He had three blocks and five rebounds in 23 minutes, including a huge weak-side block on Magic star Paolo Banchero. Green played in every game for the Pistons this season and showed why he had earned Bickerstaff’s trust with his gritty defense.
- Jalen Duren‘s rise has been a major force helping to propel the Pistons’ ascendance from perpetual lottery dweller to bona fide contender, ESPN’s Michael A. Fletcher writes. The 22-year-old sets the physical, imposing tone that the team prides itself on, and has grown considerably as a defender and offensive creator this season. In doing so, he has helped the Pistons get back to their Bad Boy roots.
- Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley only needed two words to describe Cade Cunningham‘s impact in Game 2. “He’s special,” Mosley said, according to Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News. The talented guard scored 27 points, along with 11 assists and six rebounds, putting the Magic away through off-the-dribble breakdowns and timely play-making. “He’s him, and he understands that,” Bickerstaff said. “To have the size, agility, touch, speed, (and) patience that he has. He’s a matchup nightmare for people. It takes multiple bodies to stop him, and then even that, because he can get to his spot and shoot as many, it’s hard to get to him. So, he’s embraced the moment, and he’s leading us the way he needs to.“
Pistons Share Injury Updates On Harris, Duren, LeVert
The Pistons have issued updates on a trio of injured players, making the following announcements on Saturday (Twitter link):
Forward Tobias Harris has been diagnosed with a left hip sprain and will be reevaluated in two weeks.- Center Jalen Duren has a sprained right ankle and will be reevaluated in one week.
- Guard/forward Caris LeVert remains day-to-day due to right knee inflammation, but won’t travel to Cleveland for Sunday’s game vs. the Cavaliers as he continues to receive treatment.
The timeline for Harris, who already missed Thursday’s contest against Miami, suggests he’ll remain sidelined for a minimum of five more games, starting with intra-conference showdowns against the Cavs on Sunday and the Knicks on Monday. His absence may extend beyond that five-game stretch, since there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to return when he’s evaluated on January 17.
Harris, 33, has been a full-time starter since arriving in Detroit as a free agent during the 2024 offseason. In 23 games this season, he’s averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 27.4 minutes per night, with a .455/.333/.848 shooting line. Due to his expiring $26.6MM contract, the 15th-year forward is considered a potential in-season trade candidate.
While Harris’ recovery period may last longer, Duren’s absence figures to have a greater impact on the Pistons’ lineup in the short term. The 22-year-old is enjoying a breakout season ahead of his restricted free agency in 2026, with averages of 17.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG through his first 31 games (28.4 MPG).
Reigning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month Isaiah Stewart will likely take on a larger role with Duren out, and Paul Reed is a capable backup too. But Detroit has been much better with Duren on the court (+8.9 net rating) than off it (+2.4) so far this season.
Javonte Green, Jaden Ivey, and Marcus Sasser are a few of the other players who figure to see minute bumps while the Pistons’ injured players get healthy.
Pistons Notes: Cunningham, Injuries, Harris, Jenkins, Green
Cade Cunningham, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, scored a career-high 46 points in the Pistons’ wild 137-135 overtime win over the Wizards on Tuesday. With a handful of regulars sitting out, Cunningham attempted 45 field goals and made 14. He went 16-of-18 from the foul line.
Cunningham also recorded his first triple-double of the season — he contributed 11 assists, 12 rebounds, five steals and two blocks, becoming the first player in NBA history with those numbers in a single game since the league began tracking steals and blocks in 1973/74, according to the team’s PR department (Twitter link).
Cunningham also took a hard fall in the fourth quarter when he was fouled by Wizards forward Cam Whitmore but he stayed in the game, which was the Pistons’ seventh straight win.
“I didn’t like the way that it happened,” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Whitmore’s foul, per Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. “When you take a guy out of the air like that, you don’t walk up on him. I thought (the officials) could have done a better job of controlling that situation. … It shows the courage of Cade, the resilience of Cade, the want to not let his teammates down. He could’ve stayed in the back, very easily, with what he was going through. But he didn’t want to give up. He wanted to continue to fight even when we were down, and he led us to the victory.”
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Detroit played without Ausar Thompson (right ankle), Tobias Harris (right ankle), Jaden Ivey (right knee), Isaiah Stewart (left ankle), Caris LeVert (left knee) and Marcus Sasser (right hip). Harris has missed five consecutive games. “It’s a high ankle sprain and he’s progressing,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s just those things that take a little longer than you would like, but he’s progressing day to day. We’re hopeful he’ll be back soon.” Harris and Thompson are listed as out against Chicago on Wednesday, while Stewart is doubtful, Patterson tweets.
- Two-way player Daniss Jenkins logged 34 minutes and finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists in what was just his 13th career NBA game. Jenkins sent the game into overtime on a corner three-pointer in the final second of regulation. “You dream of stuff like this,” Jenkins told Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “To come out and really hit that type of shot, I didn’t know what to do. I was just filled with a lot of joy and excitement and just congratulating myself, staying true to the journey, staying true to everything. I have to practice what I preach. This life is a marathon, everything is a marathon. My journey is a marathon.”
- Due to the injuries, Javonte Green made his first start with the Pistons, notching his first double-double of the season and second of his career with 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 38 minutes. Detroit signed Green, who played for New Orleans and Cleveland last season, to a one-year, partially guaranteed deal in the summer. “He blocked [two] threes, which is hard to do…Again, It’s top to bottom. These guys care about winning, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to win. [Green] knows who he is and understands how he impacts winning,” Bickerstaff said.
Central Notes: Garland, Beasley, Pacers, Rivers
The Cavaliers enjoyed their most productive offensive night of the season on Wednesday as they welcomed back Darius Garland, writes Joe Reedy of The Associated Press. Garland returned in a victory over Philadelphia after missing the team’s first seven games while recovering from surgery in June on his left big toe. He contributed eight points and four assists in 26 minutes as Cleveland erupted for 132 points.
“Seeing the ball go through the hoop, passing the ball to 45 (Donovan Mitchell), Ev (Evan Mobley) and JA (Jarrett Allen) for sure,” Garland responded when asked what he missed while he was sidelined. “It was great to be back with the teammates. Being around them makes me happy.”
Reedy points out that the Cavs, who led the league in offensive rating last season at 121.0, were fifth-worst heading into Wednesday at 111.3. Coach Kenny Atkinson said the offense has been “clunky” because several players were forced into roles they aren’t used to.
Mitchell, who finished with a season-best 46 points, also recognizes the value of having Garland on the court.
“You have a guy that can initiate, get the easy shots and make everyone’s job easier,” he said. “When you have a guy who’s an All-Star, you have to pay attention where he’s at. When you know you have a guy out there that can create, it puts everyone at ease.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- There’s mutual interest in a reunion between the Pistons and Malik Beasley, assuming he’s eventually cleared in a federal gambling investigation, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Siegel points out that Javonte Green‘s contract only carries a partial guarantee (currently $925,106), so he could easily be waived to make room for Beasley. Siegel also hears that the Cavaliers, who are carrying an open roster spot, still have interest in signing Beasley to bolster their outside shooting. A report on Wednesday stated that Beasley has received interest from teams overseas as well.
- Despite a 1-7 start and a slew of injuries, the Pacers aren’t expected to become major sellers going into the trade deadline, Siegel adds. Indiana is focused on “financial positioning” and keeping a competitive roster together for Tyrese Haliburton‘s expected return next season. Siegel says it would be surprising if the team is willing to part with Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell or Aaron Nesmith.
- Doc Rivers’ reliance on an all-bench units has been a surprising part of the Bucks‘ early success, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Rivers has played lineups that feature no starters against units with at least one starter more than any other coach in the league.
Central Notes: Giannis, Pistons, Rotation
After missing the first week of Bucks training camp with COVID-19, now-recovered nine-time All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has reported to the team, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. For now, the 6’11” superstar has yet to take contact in workouts.
“Obviously, I think it took a toll on my body,” Antetokounmpo said of his recent illness. “I’m not feeling 100 percent yet, physically. Just take it day by day. Get back in shape. I was able to do some 5-on-0. Run up and down a little bit. Tomorrow, a little better. I got 18 days until the first game, so I think I’ll be fine.”
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- The Pistons’ preseason tipped off on Monday night with a matchup against Memphis. In a preseason primer ahead of that game, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic projects a revamped Detroit’s depth chart, with new wings Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson joining the second unit while Jaden Ivey returns from a leg injury and looks to reclaim his spot in the starting backcourt alongside Cade Cunningham.
- Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is being forced to make some difficult choices about his rotation this year in training camp, writes Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. “The way camp has gone, there’s not one guy out here that I can tell you doesn’t deserve to play,” Bickerstaff said. “Camp has been so, so competitive and guys have played at such a high level, I’m pleased with the depth that we have but we have some tough decisions to make because of it.” Bickerstaff is taking stock of veteran reserves Javonte Green and Paul Reed, second-year forward Bobi Klintman, and rookie guard Chaz Lanier as he figures out the end of his bench.
- In case you missed it, Cavaliers reserve guard Lonzo Ball will be playing on a minutes limit and won’t suit up in back-to-backs when the regular season begins.
Central Notes: Green, Kell-Abrams, Portis, Giannis
Javonte Green fits right into the Pistons’ identity after establishing a reputation as a hard-nosed defender with versatility, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes.
The Pistons signed Green to a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract, filling the 14th spot on the 15-man roster. He’ll compete for minutes at the wing positions and could also be utilized as an undersized power forward. Green is a superior rebounder and shot-blocker for his size.
On the offensive end, Green’s dynamic athleticism stands out, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press notes. He will add another above-the-rim threat that already has a few in the rotation.
Green’s minimum-salary deal would pay him $2,874,436 if he earns the full amount. For now, the contract is partially guaranteed for $925K, tweets Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers are hiring Eli Kell-Abrams as the head coach of their NBA G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, Scotto tweets. Kell-Abrams spent the past two seasons as a video coordinator for the Trail Blazers. He has also had stints with the Sixers and Heat organizations.
- While there’s still speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s future, Bucks teammate Bobby Portis doubts the superstar will ask the front office for a trade. Portis made his comments during an interview with ESPN Milwaukee (hat tip to Josue Pavon of ClutchPoints). “I talk to Giannis all the time. That’s my teammate,” Portis said. “Giannis bleeds green. That’s all I can say.” Portis also believes Milwaukee is still a true contender in the East, feeling recent postseason flops have been due to injuries. “I mean, what’s wrong with our team? Why can’t we do it this year? The only thing wrong with us is people being hurt,” he said. “We win the championship. 2022 came in and we go down. We lose Game 7 to Boston. 2023, first round, Giannis tries to dunk on K. Love, comes down, hurts his back. We don’t have big fella. 2024, Giannis hurts his leg against the Celtics in the regular season and then, doesn’t play another game. Then, coming back this year, we haven’t been really healthy. I don’t make excuses but that’s just what the tables was for us.” A video link to the interview can be found here.
- The Bulls are reportedly turning down trade inquiries involving Coby White. Get the info here.
Pistons Sign Javonte Green To One-Year Deal
August 14: Green has signed his one-year contract with the Pistons, according to the official transactions log at NBA.com.
August 11: The Pistons are set to sign free agent swingman Javonte Green, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides are finalizing an agreement on a one-year deal.
Green, 32, began his professional career overseas after going undrafted out of Radford in 2015, but eventually earned a look in the NBA and has since established himself as a rotation player for a handful of teams. Since 2019, he has made 263 regular season appearances for the Celtics, Bulls, Pelicans, and Cavaliers, averaging 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game.
Known primarily for his defensive ability and versatility, Green played in New Orleans and Cleveland in 2024/25. He made 18 starts and 50 total appearances for the injury-plagued Pelicans before being bought out in order to sign with the East-leading Cavs. In total, he averaged 5.1 PPG and 3.2 RPG in 18.5 MPG across 68 outings for the two teams, with a shooting line of .429/.326/.724.
Charania’s report doesn’t include any additional details on Green’s deal with Detroit beyond the fact that it will be a one-year contract, so it’s unclear whether or not it will be guaranteed. It’s a safe bet it will be worth the minimum salary.
The Pistons are currently only carrying 13 players on standard contracts, so even if Green’s deal isn’t fully guaranteed from day one, he should have a clear path to earning a spot on the 15-man regular season roster this fall.
Fischer’s Latest: RFAs, Warriors, White, Young, Celtics
During Thursday’s Bleacher Report live stream (YouTube link), NBA insider Jake Fischer reiterated multiple times that he expects the four primary restricted free agents — Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors), Josh Giddey (Bulls), Quentin Grimes (Sixers) and Cam Thomas (Nets) — to continue to be in contract standoffs with their respective teams for some time.
“Again, we are still in a holding pattern with all these restricted free agents, and we are — at this juncture — expecting all those situations to linger deeper into August and get into September as well,” Fischer said. “Don’t expect a resolution for Jonathan Kuminga, for Josh Giddey, for Quentin Grimes, for Cam Thomas, anytime soon.”
According to Fischer, the Warriors haven’t shown any interest in what the Kings and Suns have offered in sign-and-trade scenarios for Kuminga. But they also don’t want to lose the former lottery pick for nothing in return.
“Jonathan Kuminga’s side, I believe, right now, would be willing to take a two-plus-one with a player option three-year deal,” Fischer said. “I think that Jonathan Kuminga’s side would take this one-plus-one situation with Golden State — this two-year, $45MM offer that’s been on the table — if he were to get a player option in year two.
“But I was told yesterday from various sources that Golden State is going to be holding firm … that second year is going to be a team option. And that’s kinda where this staring contest is at.”
Here’s more from Fischer:
- The Warriors currently have only nine players signed to standard contracts, with the Kuminga stalemate continuing to hold up their other offseason business. Fischer suggested that Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II are likely to be signed after Kuminga’s situation is resolved. Malcolm Brogdon and Seth Curry remain on Golden State’s radar as well, according to Fischer, with Javonte Green another player mentioned.
- The Bulls are monitoring Coby White‘s upcoming free agency, Fischer said. White will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and Fischer noted that there has been talk of White wanting a contract that exceeds $30MM annually. That expectation may be factoring into the calculation of Chicago playing a level of hardball with Giddey’s restricted free agency.
- Thomas looks the most likely of the four RFAs to accept his qualifying offer, Fischer confirmed. The high-scoring guard views himself as a $30MM+ per year player, but the Nets haven’t approached that figure and have only offered him short-term deals to this point, Fischer said.
- While Fischer confirmed the latest reports on Trae Young‘s disappointment at the lack of an extension offer from the Hawks, he said that it was also somewhat expected by Young’s camp. Fischer called this season an opportunity for Young to maximize a roster built to complement his game, as well as an opportunity for the new front office to evaluate the players on the roster. If Young is able to maximize the team’s potential and earn All-NBA honors, he’d be eligible for a much more lucrative extension, and he also has a 2026/27 player option he could decline to enter free agency next year as possibly the top free agent on the board.
- Prior to dealing him to the Jazz, the Celtics had talks with the Grizzlies during Summer League about a deal that would send Georges Niang to Memphis, according to Fischer, who said a rumored framework of Anfernee Simons for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was never discussed. Fischer noted that before RJ Luis signed a two-way deal with the Jazz, he was considering signing with the Celtics. The Jazz are expected to keep Niang as a veteran leader. Fischer also said that he’s not as confident that Simons gets traded before the season starts as he was that Niang would be dealt.
- Fischer confirmed that Bennedict Mathurin is on track to receive a bigger role this season with the Pacers due to Tyrese Haliburton‘s injury, and that Mathurin is also hoping to secure a deal that would pay him $20-30MM per year. Fischer added that many of the unsigned rookie scale extension candidates likely won’t finalize new deals until the October deadline.
Eli Cohen contributed to this post.