With Jalen Duren in street clothes and Paul Reed battling foul trouble, Tolu Smith stepped up for the Detroit Pistons.
The 25-year-old was among the team's best players during their 114-108 overtime loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday, Oct. 10, supplying six points, 13 rebounds (eight offensive), two assists and a steal in just over 15 minutes. Through two preseason games, he's made an impact with his ability to absorb rebounds and deter opposing players from the paint.
Smith, a former two-way center, is showing why the team has been confident in his growth. He was converted to a standard contract in April and enters this season as the third big man on the depth chart, following Isaiah Stewart's trade to the Memphis Grizzlies.
"He’s got
an NBA skillset and he dominates the paint on both ends of the floor," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the team's practice on Monday, Oct. 12. "He does a great job defensive rebounding, offensive rebounding, he goes all the time. He sets a physical tone, he communicates. And the thing I love about Tolu is just how hard he works and how much better he’s gotten in the time that we’ve had him."
Duren has yet to make his preseason debut less than two weeks after signing his five-year, $200 million extension on Oct. 3. The Pistons have missed Duren's rebounding, but Smith is proving to be a force on the boards in his own right. He grabbed five in 15 minutes against the Suns, giving the team a needed presence on the glass.
In limited minutes, Smith was a strong rebounder last season as well. He put together a career performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 10 with nine points, 14 rebounds (six offensive) and four blocks. This offseason, he worked on his conditioning to prepare for a more-consistent role after appearing in just 15 games last season.
"I think the biggest thing was off the court," Smith said of his offseason regime on Sept. 30. "Getting my body right, in elite shape. The season can be rigorous, it’s a long season so just getting my body right. And finishing around the rim, being able to be a versatile finisher and focusing on defense, protecting the rim. That’s the main thing from the five. Trying to protect the rim."
It's been a steady rise for Smith since he initially joined the Pistons' summer league roster in 2024 after going undrafted that June. He went on to sign an Exhibit-10 contract that September and joined the Motor City Cruise, the team's G League affiliate, before being promoted to a two-way contract the following January. Smith averaged 17.5 points and 12.9 rebounds with the Cruise in 2024-25.
The Pistons rarely called upon Smith last season with Duren, Stewart and Reed in front of him. He stood out when injuries and suspensions opened the door for him to see the floor, however, such as his six-point, seven-rebounds in 16 minutes performance against the Chicago Bulls Nov. 12.
"His skillset, his ability to work, his physicality, the way he sets screens, defensively," Bickerstaff said following the team's 109-107 preseason win over the Phoenix Suns Oct. 5. "I thought he’s done a great job of protecting the paint. His pick-and-roll defense was elite tonight as well. He gives us that spark, gives us that energy with the physicality and again his represents who we are."
Smith's path to consistent minutes this season is clear. He's a strong rebounder and screener than Reed and John Collins, who's spent time at center during preseason, and the team will need him on the floor when Duren misses time. He's in a similar role as Reed was in last season as a change-of-pace third big man off the bench.
Like former two-way guard Daniss Jenkins did last season, Smith has a chance to establish himself as a reliable rotation player.
"Like you said, we’re here to prove ourselves," Smith said. "I feel like it’s the same model, tho. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, a lot of heads to turn. It’s a great opportunity for us, so we’re going to take advantage."
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
Next up: Timberwolves
Matchup: Pistons (1-1) at Minnesota (2-1); exhibition.
Tipoff: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14; Target Center, Minneapolis.
TV/radio: WMYD-TV (Ch. 20); WXYT-FM (97.1).
Streaming: DaZN Detroit.
Regular-season opener: vs. Celtics; 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; NBC.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tolu Smith is heading for expanded role with Pistons and looks ready
