The Detroit Pistons have locked up one of their core players.
Just not the one people thought would sign first.
The Pistons and Ausar Thompson agreed on a five-year contract extension worth $155 million on Friday, Sept. 18, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to the Pistons on condition of anonymity because it has not been announced.
The deal, which does not have any opt-outs, kicks in next season and secures Thompson's future with the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2023.
Thompson took another step in 2025-26, his third NBA season. His otherworldly defense was validated during awards season. He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind two centers – winner Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. Thompson was later
named to the All-Defensive first team, becoming the first Pistons player to receive the honor since Ben Wallace in 2005-06.
Thompson's twin brother, Amen, signed a five-year, $208 million contract with the Houston Rockets two weeks earlier. Amen went No. 4 overall in 2023, one pick before Ausar. Amen's deal averages $41.6 million annually.
The Pistons and All-Star center Jalen Duren are still in a contract dispute with training camp 11 days away opening Sept. 29. Duren has until Oct. 1 to accept the one-year qualifying offer worth $9.6 million. Duren was the No. 13 pick in the same draft as Thompson under then-general manager Troy Weaver.
The Pistons start the season Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the first game of the NBA season at home against the Boston Celtics (3 p.m., NBC/Peacock).
Ausar Thompson contract extension
Thompson and the Pistons beat the 6 p.m. ET, Oct. 19 deadline to sign a rookie extension. He will make $11.1 million in his fourth season to complete his four-year, $36.2 million rookie contract.
Thompson's new contract kicks in for the 2027-28 season and ends in 2032, and will play him $31 million per season. NBA contracts are guaranteed, unless otherwise stipulated.
Ausar Thompson stats in NBA with Pistons
Thompson's per-game averages and stats during the 2025-26 regular season:
- 73 games (72 starts)
- 9.9 points
- 5.7 rebounds
- 3.1 assists
- 2.0 steals (NBA-best)
- 0.9 blocks
- 1.5 turnovers
- 26 minutes
- 52.5% field goals (7.9 attempts – 303-for-577)
- 25% 3-pointers (0.3 attempts – 6-for-24)
- 57.1% free throws (2.6 attempts – 109-for-191)
- 54.5% true shooting percentage
Thompson was the leader of the league's No. 2 defense, which forced more turnovers and blocked more shots per game than any other team.
Ausar Thompson playoff stats
Thompson's per game averages and stats during the 2025-26 playoffs:
- 14 games
- 8.2 points
- 7.9 rebounds
- 3.1 assists
- 2.0 steals
- 1.8 blocks
- 1.6 turnovers
- 30.5 minutes
- 50.5% field goals (6.9 attempts – 49-for-97)
- 14.3% 3-pointers (0.5 attempts – 1-for-7)
- 51.6% free throws (2.2 attempts – 16-for-31)
- 52% true shooting percentage
Ausar Thompson draft pick
Thompson was drafted by the Pistons at No. 5 overall out of Overtime Elite in Atlanta – at the time, a new professional basketball league for up-and-coming prospects aged 16-20.
Ausar Thompson height and weight
Thompson, born Jan. 30, 1993, in San Leandro, California, is 23 years old. He will turn 24 on Jan. 30, 2027. His height is listed at 6 feet 7 in shoes, his weight is listed at 205 pounds and he measured with a 7-foot wingspan at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine. His twin brother, Amen, plays for the Houston Rockets.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons sign Ausar Thompson to 5-year contract extension
