Ausar Thompson has already established himself as one of the best young pieces on the Detroit Pistons‘ roster.
Now, the next step is turning all of that defensive potential and energy into a more complete game.
Thompson has never lacked things to like. His defense, hustle and rebounding give Detroit something valuable on the wing, and those qualities aren’t going anywhere. He’s really a gem. What could really change his trajectory, though, is making even modest progress as a shooter and playmaker.
That’s where the chance is for Thompson heading into the upcoming season. Detroit doesn’t need him to suddenly become a superstar-level scorer or transform into a primary shooter. Even a little improvement from the perimeter or as a creator for teammates could help the Pistons.
His current numbers leave lots of room for growth. Thompson has made just 20.4% of his career three-point attempts, per NBA research, while his assist-to-turnover numbers also show that there is work to do as a facilitator.
But, that’s also what makes the upcoming season so exciting for him. Thompson already brings a lot to the floor without needing the ball in his hands. He can defend, rebound and make plays through his energy. If he can add a more dependable perimeter shot or become more comfortable creating for others, suddenly his offensive limitations don’t look nearly as bad.
That could have a ripple effect throughout Detroit’s roster, too. The Pistons wouldn’t have to rely quite so heavily on players whose biggest strength is shooting if Thompson becomes enough of a threat from outside.
There’s no need to expect perfection from him. Thompson is still developing, and the Pistons clearly believe his defensive foundation gives him something to build on. A breakout season doesn’t necessarily mean Thompson has to put up huge scoring numbers. It could simply mean showing enough offensive progress to make the Pistons look even better than they do now.