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 Detroit Free Press
, part of the USA TODAY Network. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the extension has not yet been announced publicly.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.
The Pistons start the NBA regular season Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the at home against the Boston Celtics (3 p.m. ET on 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 then-Pistons general manager Troy Weaver in 2023 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, will turn 24 years old on Jan. 30, 2026. 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.
Make "The Pistons Pulse" your go-to Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live on YouTube.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons lock up core player, sign F Ausar Thompson to 5-year extension
