The Detroit Pistons earned the East’s top seed in 2025-26 but were eliminated in Game 7 of the conference semifinals by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Detroit’s lack of secondary playmaking and scoring was exposed, with only Cade Cunningham consistently producing. The focus now shifts to how the Pistons respond this offseason. Here’s a recap of their season and its fantasy basketball impact.
Cade’s MVP leap, Duren followed suit
Cunningham turned into an All-NBA player this year, averaging 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.0 threes per game — a legitimate MVP-caliber season that puts him firmly in the first round for fantasy drafts again next year. He’s one of the most well-rounded scoring and playmaking producers in the league.
Duren, with an ADP of 58, outperformed expectations by averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.6 stocks per game. While a few more stocks would boost his value, he still ranked 38th in 9-cat leagues and 51st in High Score formats. Duren finished fifth in double-doubles, cementing his status as one of the most reliable and efficient big men to target within the first four rounds of fantasy drafts. But that postseason was rough. He averaged a mere 10 ppg after posting 20 per game in the regular season and was a shell of himself overall. He picked the wrong time to turn into a pumpkin and it cost the Pistons a possible berth in the Eastern Conference finals.
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Still Intrigued by Ausar Thompson
If only one (or both) of the Thompson twins could actually shoot the rock beyond 10 feet consistently, it would do wonders for their progression. Ausar will make one of the All-Defensive teams for his outstanding perimeter defense, where he led the league in steals. While that defense carried over to the postseason, averaging 4 stocks per game, he became a massive liability on offense except when Detroit got out in transition. Despite the defensive prowess, he didn’t live up to his 83rd overall ADP, barely eclipsing top-100 status in 9-cat and sitting inside the top 120 in High Score. I’m expecting a market adjustment unless we see strides in his shooting in the offseason.
Final Thoughts
Detroit needs a secondary scorer — someone who can create their own shot and take pressure off Cunningham in the halfcourt. That’s the one thing this roster is missing. Cunningham can’t be the answer every night, and the offseason should be spent finding that second creator through free agency or trade. The decision not to make a move of any magnitude at the deadline hurt them in the long run this season. There will certainly be some reshaping, as Tobias Harris, Paul Reed, Kevin Huerter and Javonte Green are free agents this summer. Who will they bring back? That will have an impact, because Thompson and Ron Holland are eligible for extensions. I doubt the postseason letdown from Duren will prevent him from getting an extension, but it certainly raised eyebrows on the type of player he is when the pressures highest. The infrastructure is in place; now they need to get their dynamic duo of Cade and Duren some help to reach the top of the East again.