Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson is making waves in the NBA for his relentless defense and high-flying athleticism, but the young star’s journey is far from straightforward. As the Pistons surge into title contention for the 2025-26 season, Thompson’s unique blend of strengths—and his persistent offensive struggles—have become a focal point for fans and analysts alike. With aspirations of Defensive Player of the Year honors and dreams of one day joining the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Thompson’s story is one of ambition, growth, and ongoing challenges.
Drafted fifth overall in 2023, Thompson wasted no time establishing himself as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. Standing at 6-foot-7, he’s capable of guarding every position on the floor, a rare asset in today’s NBA. His defensive prowess is so highly regarded that, according to recent reports, the Pistons consider him nearly untouchable in trade talks. That’s no small feat for a player just three years into his career. "It is a cooler accolade to have next to your name, even more so for non-big men," Thompson told The Detroit News, referencing his goal of winning Defensive Player of the Year. "Every single night, I try to lock down the best player and do all of the things that will not appear on the stat sheet."
Thompson’s impact on defense is measurable—and impressive. This season, he leads Detroit with averages of 4.5 deflections and 1.5 steals per game, and he’s become a master at picking up his assignment full court. "It has been fun, picking up full court. I feel like it gets my legs going, and it sets the tone for the rest of the game," Thompson said. "It can be tiresome at times, but more so, it’s a mindset thing. … I want to be able to shut down any player. I want it to be known that when I am guarding you, it will be a tough night."
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who took the Pistons’ helm this season, is effusive in his praise. "It is very rare that you can find a player who is that disruptive at the point of attack, especially at that size. He can keep smaller and bigger guys in front of him. … If you can bring the team’s first actions down to about 17 to 16 seconds, the numbers show that offensive efficiency drops at a huge rate," Bickerstaff explained. "There are so many things that he can do. He can protect the rim. He can get steals and deflections. He does so many things that make him a one-man disruption. I have not had a player like him before. He is the best that I’ve coached as a complete defender."
Thompson’s defensive contributions have helped Detroit assemble the NBA’s second-best defense, boasting a 110.9 defensive net rating and holding opponents to an average of 112.9 points per game. Alongside Isaiah Stewart, Thompson has anchored a unit that has become the backbone of the Pistons’ playoff ambitions. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses from the moment they cross half court has been a game-changer, often setting the tone for the entire team.
Yet, for all his defensive brilliance, Thompson’s role has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Despite his minutes per game increasing from 22.5 to 26.5 this season, his offensive development has stalled. He remains a non-factor from beyond the arc, taking no threes and shooting just 55.7% from the free-throw line—a regression that makes him hard to trust in late-game situations. His two-point field goal percentage has also slipped, dropping from 57.2% last year to 52.7% this season. For a player who excels in transition and at the rim, that’s a disappointing trend.
Detroit’s recent games have highlighted these concerns. In the December 27 loss to the Utah Jazz, Thompson played only 16 minutes and was benched down the stretch. The following night against the Los Angeles Clippers, he logged 24 minutes but saw fewer than five in the fourth quarter after struggling to contain Kawhi Leonard. The Pistons’ coaching staff has had to make tough decisions, especially given the team’s title aspirations and the need for offensive firepower in crunch time.
"This is not the trajectory the Pistons were hoping to see from their fifth-overall pick," noted one analyst. "The 22-year-old hasn’t taken a step forward on the offensive end as he continues to be a liability there." Thompson’s usage rate has held steady at 19.1%, but his true shooting percentage has dipped to 53.8%—a below-average mark for a player whose shots come almost exclusively at the rim or in transition.
Still, the upside is obvious. Thompson is a devastating transition player and a disruptive defender, with enough ball-handling and playmaking skills to keep hope alive for future growth. He’s also a relentless student of the game, spending countless hours studying film to refine his craft. "He is a student of the game. He watches so much film. He studies the guys he will be defending. Learning their tendencies and how he can be disruptive on a night-in, night-out basis, he has taken huge steps there," Bickerstaff said.
Thompson’s commitment to improvement was on full display during the Pistons’ first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks last spring. After being tasked with guarding Knicks star Jalen Brunson, Thompson spent the offseason reviewing film and working on his defensive discipline. The results have been tangible, particularly in his ability to avoid foul trouble—a skill that paid off during Detroit’s 110-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on December 22. Despite picking up three fouls in the first quarter, Thompson regrouped and finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals, demonstrating his resilience and growth.
Off the court, Thompson’s motivations are deeply personal. He’s driven not only by league accolades but also by a desire to outshine his twin brother, Amen Thompson, and to etch his name among the NBA’s great two-way players. "Growing up, I just loved two-way players," Thompson said. "I was a big fan of Kobe (Bryant), LeBron (James), Kawhi (Leonard) and even Giannis (Antetokounmpo). I was just a fan of players who can do it on both sides of the ball…All-Defense, DPOY, those are my goals."
With the Pistons now firmly in the championship conversation, Thompson’s future remains bright but uncertain. His defensive abilities make him indispensable in many respects, yet his offensive limitations could force the team’s hand in crucial playoff moments. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Thompson to see whether he can take that next leap and become the true two-way force Detroit needs.
For now, Ausar Thompson stands as both a cornerstone and a question mark for the Pistons—a player whose defensive mastery has few equals, but whose offensive game remains a work in progress. The coming months will reveal whether he can bridge that gap and help lead Detroit to the promised land.
