Monty Williams: Thompson, Sasser Make Me Want to Arrange 'Marriage with My Daughters'
Jul 15, 2023
Detroit Pistons' Ausar Thompson drives up the court against the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA summer league basketball game Sunday, July 9, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
It's fair to say that Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams is a big fan of rookies Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser based on his comments on ESPN during his team's summer league game against the San Antonio Spurs Friday.
Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press relayed the quotes:
Monty Williams on ESPN: “I’ve become a fan of Ausar and Sass. Their toughness, we saw it down the stretch. Those two guys just made play after play and played winning basketball, which is something that makes me want to take them home and arrange a marriage with my daughters.”
Williams was referring to their outings in a 94-90 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Thompson, the No. 5 overall pick in this year's draft, finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Sasser, selected No. 25 overall, amassed 15 points and seven dimes.
Those two led the Pistons to a comeback victory after the team found itself down 81-71 with eight minutes remaining. Detroit went on 23-9 closing run keyed by a pair of steals leading to layups by both Thompson and Sasser, whose bucket ended up being the game-winner.
Williams is tasked with coaching a young but talented Pistons team that just finished an NBA-worst 17-65. Nine players were born in 2000 or later, so it's a tall order to develop this squad in hopes of greater success. However, Williams is coming off a successful stint in Phoenix and has an impressive track resume that breeds confidence in his ability to get it done.
NBA Trade Rumors: 'Rumblings' Mavs Could Revisit Bojan Bogdanović Talks with Pistons
Jul 12, 2023
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 30: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Detroit Pistons drives against Reggie Bullock #25 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on January 30, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 111-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks are still exploring ways to improve their roster this summer, and they reportedly could be eyeing a three-point specialist who was under consideration earlier this offseason.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on his Howdy Partners podcast that he "heard some rumblings" about the Mavs "revisiting the Bojan Bogdanović talks" with the Detroit Pistons.
Prior to the 2023 NBA draft last month, ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony stated that Dallas was open to trading the No. 10 pick along with shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., and one scenario would be going after Bogdanović. The Mavs ended up trading the pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder to move down to the No. 12 pick, where they selected Duke center Derek Lively II.
Bogdanović led the Pistons with 21.6 points per game last season and shot 41.1 percent from beyond the arc. The 34-year-old veteran is a career 39.4-percent three-point shooter, and he would be a welcome addition to a Mavericks team hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2022-23 campaign in which it fell short of the playoffs.
It will be interesting to see if the Mavs are able to make more moves that put them into title contention next season.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 10: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons in the first half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Little Caesars Arena on February 10, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Isaiah Stewart is reportedly staying with the Detroit Pistons for the foreseeable future.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the frontcourt player and the Pistons agreed to a four-year, $64 million rookie contract extension on Monday. Wojnarowski noted it is the first non-maximum extension for the 2020 draft class this offseason.
The decision is all the more notable since James L. Edwards of The Athletic reported the Boston Celtics called the Pistons to see if Stewart was available this offseason.
Boston's interest in another big wasn't particularly surprising since Al Horford is 37 years old. Robert Williams and Kristaps Porziņģis have also had durability concerns at times during their careers.
Yet the Pistons are keeping him in the fold.
Stewart has never been a primary contributor but has shown steady improvement during his first three seasons. He was a double-double threat every time he stepped on the floor in 2022-23 and averaged 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
The 22-year-old also started to expand his game to the perimeter for the first time, averaging 4.1 three-point attempts per game after never posting more than 0.9 per game in his first two seasons.
The efficiency wasn't quite there at 32.7 percent, but it was a sign he is adding more things to his attack with additional experience in the NBA.
Detroit has a young core in place with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, among others, and Stewart fits the timeline of that group.
Now he will have the opportunity to continue improving with the only NBA team he has played for at this point of his career.
Hot Takes on Pistons' Ausar Thompson, Ivey vs. Magic's Anthony Black, Jett Howard
Jul 8, 2023
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons is introduced before the game against the Orlando Magic during the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2023 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)
After watching his twin brother show out in his respective Summer League debut, it was Ausar Thompson's turn Saturday as the Detroit Pistons took on the Orlando Magic with plenty of lottery-level talent spread all across the floor.
And while he didn't set the world on fire offensively, the Overtime Elite Finals MVP did a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, showing why he was one of the more highly touted wing prospects in this year's draft class.
Taking just four shots, Thompson only had seven points in his debut, but he supplemented that with some excellent work on the glass and on the defensive end of the floor. He finished with nine rebounds to go along with three assists, a steal and two blocks.
He stuffed the staff sheet, much like his brother Amen, who had a strong debut with the Rockets on Friday night before suffering an ankle injury.
Both brothers managed to show their tenacity on defense, which is one of the main reasons they were taken back-to-back in the top five of June's NBA draft.
Aside from Thompson, Detroit had a lot more young talent on the floor in the win who are sure to be a part of the team's regular season rotation. Big men Jalen Duren and James Wiseman each had strong outings, dropping 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Jaden Ivey, the organization's No. 5 pick from last year, struggled as he entered the second Summer League of his career, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-19 shooting from the field and six turnovers. He did have five steals, however.
NBA Twitter was pretty impressed with Thompson and the rest of the Pistons' young group.
Ausar Thompson's playmaking today has been the story of Pistons/Magic along with Jett's shooting/secondary ball handling. Thompson's vision is up there with his brothers, that was on tape at OTE.
As for the Magic, they had both of their lottery picks, Anthony Black and Jett Howard, on the floor Saturday.
And Black, the No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft, had a really strong performance, dropping 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go along with five rebounds, five assists and three steals in the losing effort.
The former Arkansas Razorback looked like the best player on the floor after a slow start to the game
Howard, meanwhile, had a respectable outing as well, finishing with eight points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Magic Twitter was hyped up after seeing Black's performance.
Anthony Black went OFF in his NBA Summer League debut!
— Deb #HollandGangGang (@debswim2010) July 8, 2023
Detroit will be back in action Sunday against the Rockets while Magic will have a day off before taking on the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
NBA Rumors: Pistons' Bojan Bogdanović Continues to Draw 'High' Trade Interest
Jul 5, 2023
Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) plays against the Toronto Raptors in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Detroit, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Trade interest in Detroit Pistons wing Bojan Bogdanović remains high despite the team's claims that they want to keep last year's top scorer aboard.
"External trade interest in Detroit's Bojan Bogdanović remains high, while the Pistons continue to insist that they are motivated to keep the veteran swingman.
"The Pistons' stance is routinely dismissed as posturing, but they certainly held firm at the trade deadline in February after months' worth of trade offers came in for the Croatian swingman.
"One thing that's clear here: No one out there seems terribly concerned about the Achilles injury that limited Bogdanović to just three games after the All-Star break. The feeling is that the Pistons were merely being extra cautious since winning obviously wasn't the utmost priority for the team that finished with the league's worst record at 17-65."
The 34-year-old Bogdanović, a nine-year NBA veteran, has played for the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz and Pistons during his career. He posted a career-high 21.6 points on 48.8 percent shooting (41.1 percent from three) in 59 games last year. Bogdanović played just three games after the All-Star break due to bilateral Achilles tendinopathy.
Bogdanović landed in Detroit when the Jazz decided to end the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era in Salt Lake City during the 2022 offseason. Utah traded Bogdanović, a starting wing on that team, to the Pistons on Sept. 22, 2022, for Saben Lee, Kelly Olynyk, a trade exception and cash.
One month later, he signed a two-year, $39.1 million extension with the Pistons that elongated his contract through the 2024-25 season.
Detroit is in full-on rebuilding mode as the team stockpiles the roster with young lottery pick talents such as Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and now Ausar Thompson. The Pistons could continue their rebuild and trade Bogdanović, but he's also clearly been an asset for the team, despite a rough 17-65 season last year.
The Pistons were relatively quiet during the offseason on the player front, notably adding Joe Harris and Monte Morris as the patient rebuild continues. The big move was made on the sidelines after the team signed Monty Williams to a record-breaking head coaching contract.
Ultimately, Bogdanović can help the team reach greater heights if he's kept aboard, but a trade down the road seems plausible if Detroit continues to wade at the bottom of the NBA standings.
Ausar Thompson, Pistons Agree to Rookie Contract; Was Taken No. 5 in 2023 NBA Draft
Jul 2, 2023
MANHATTAN, NY - JUNE 21: Ausar Thompson looks on during the Jr. NBA x NBPA Cares Event on June 21, 2023 in Manhattan, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ausar Thompson is officially a member of the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons announced Sunday that they signed the rookie, whom they selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, to his first contract at basketball's highest level. The team did not disclose the terms of the deal.
Thompson was selected one pick after the Houston Rockets chose his twin brother, Amen, with the No. 4 pick in the draft.
The Thompson twins played in the Overtime Elite League during the 2022-23 campaign and were part of a trend away from highly selected college basketball players in this year's draft. In fact, Alabama's Brandon Miller (No. 2 overall) was the only player taken in the top five who played college basketball.
Ausar Thompson made the most of his time in Overtime Elite.
As the Pistons' announcement noted, he was named the Overtime Elite MVP and the Finals MVP as he averaged 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in the postseason. The showing came after he posted 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks a night in 20 games.
Thompson's athleticism is the first thing that jumps out about his game, which figures to make him dangerous in transition and as someone who can make highlight plays while soaring above the rim.
He will need to improve his outside shooting at the NBA level to fulfill the expectations that come with being a top-five pick, but he can handle the ball and make plays as a slasher.
The rookie joins a young core in Detroit that includes Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Cunningham and Ivey will handle the ball more, which could create opportunities for Thompson to take advantage of the resultant space and cut into the lane.
It is a new era for the Pistons with head coach Monty Williams, and Thompson can now focus on helping the team improve now that he is officially under contract.
Alec Burks' $10.5M Pistons Contract Option Reportedly to be Exercised
Jun 28, 2023
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 15: Alec Burks #5 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden on February 15, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Alec Burks is staying with the Detroit Pistons beyond just one season.
The team exercised the $10.5 million option for the 2023-24 campaign on his contract on Tuesday, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
While there was some speculation the Pistons might trade Burks ahead of this past season's deadline, they ultimately decided to keep him and make him a part of their immediate future as well with this decision.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported in January (h/t HoopsHype) that the Eastern Conference team was telling others around the NBA that the plan was to exercise this option instead of moving him "because they like the presumed trade candidate so much."
This provides some level of stability for the journeyman who has played for the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Pistons throughout his career.
Detroit acquired Burks via trade from the Knicks ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, and he responded by providing a veteran presence as a solid secondary contributor for a team that is in full-on rebuilding mode.
The 31-year-old averaged 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from deep.
It is that three-point shooting that surely caught the attention of potential suitors ahead of the trade deadline, as he is someone who could have taken advantage of the extra space created by a superstar leading the way on a contender.
Detroit will have that three-point shooting available again next season, as it looks to turn the corner following a disappointing 17-65 campaign.
While players such as Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey are far more important for the Pistons' long-term plans, they will need successful role players around them if they are going to surprise in 2023-24.
Burks fits the bill as someone with seven seasons of double-digit scoring averages on his resume, including the last four.
He will look to extend that streak to five during his second season with the Pistons.
Pistons Rumors: R.J. Hampton Waived; Contract Was Non-Guaranteed for 2023-24 Season
Jun 24, 2023
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 27: R.J. Hampton #14 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 27, 2023 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
R.J. Hampton is set to become a free agent this summer.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Detroit Pistons waived the 22-year-old guard. His $1.997 million salary for 2023-24 was non-guaranteed if he wasn't on the roster by July 6.
Hampton has bounced around the NBA since being selected with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2020 draft. He was originally taken by the Milwaukee Bucks, who traded his rights to the Denver Nuggets.
After playing 25 games for the Nuggets, Hampton was traded to the Orlando Magic in March 2021 as part of the Aaron Gordon deal. He had his best stretch in the NBA upon joining the Magic, averaging 11.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 26 appearances.
The 2021-22 season saw Hampton set a career high with 64 games played, but he only shot 38.3 percent from the field.
With Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs as the primary two-guards for head coach Jamahl Mosley, Hampton saw his playing time significantly cut back to start last season. He was eventually waived by the Magic on Feb. 21.
The Pistons signed Hampton two days later. He performed well in 21 games primarily off the bench with 7.3 points on 36.5 percent shooting from behind the arc.
Even though it's been difficult for Hampton to stick with a single team in the NBA over the past three seasons, being a recent first-round pick could help him find a new home this offseason.
Hampton has, at times, shown an ability to be a decent three-point shooter. If he can land with a team that is able to provide him with consistent playing time, there might be more upside in his game that has yet to be unlocked.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson pose for a portrait after being drafted during the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
One day after becoming the first brothers selected in the top five of the same NBA draft, the Houston Rockets' No. 4 pick Amen Thompson and Detroit Pistons' No. 5 pick Ausar Thompson already have their first matchup set.
Pistons rookie Ausar was asked Friday how he felt when he learned he would face the Rockets and his brother in an NBA Summer League game on July 9.
"I heard it, my first thought was, 'We're going to kill them," Ausar said. "He's sat right here, so he can hear it himself."
Beside him, Pistons head coach Monty Williams laughed and said, "I love that."
Ausar continued: "I know he probably wants to do the same thing, but it's not going to go that way."
Later, when asked by WXYZ Detroit's Jeanna Trotman what his message to Amen will be when they face off, Ausar said, "Be prepared to lose by 30. He can tell his teammates."
We'll have a Thompson Twin showdown in summer league when the Pistons face the Rockets.
Ausar (No. 5) talked trash. "We're gonna kill 'em." Monty Williams laughed & said "I love that."
The best part: Ausar's twin brother Amen (No. 4) was there sitting front row in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/3aqF8RKP90
Amen, a guard, and Ausar, a wing, spent the last two seasons playing in the Overtime Elite League. The twins both played for the City Reapers last year and were each a critical part of the team's road to the championship. Ausar was named finals MVP for the second consecutive campaign after averaging 21 points, 4.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in the playoffs.
The Pistons, who haven't won a playoff game since 2008, can currently claim the longest playoff drought in the NBA.
With the additions of postseason-experienced rookies like Ausar and No. 25 selection Marcus Sasser, who helped the University of Houston make it to the NCAA Final Four in 2021, Detroit will hope to change that in 2023-24—maybe starting with a few Summer League victories.
Ausar Thompson Draws Rave Reviews from Pistons Fans During 2023 NBA Draft
Jun 23, 2023
Ausar Thompson arrives at Barclays Center before the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Detroit Pistons have landed one of the most athletic players in Thursday's 2023 NBA draft, selecting Overtime Elite wing Ausar Thompson with the No. 5 overall pick.
Ausar Thompson joins his brother Amen Thompson, who was drafted by the Houston Rockets fourth overall, as the first pair of brothers to be selected in the top five of an NBA draft in the same year.
The Pistons have a promising young core led by 2022 No. 5 pick Jaden Ivey and 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham, who will be returning from a broken leg that limited him to 12 games this past season. Adding Thompson on the wing secures another strong cornerstone amid Detroit's ongoing rebuild.
Under new head coach Monty Williams, the Pistons have a bright future once they put it all together.
Fans on Twitter were excited about the addition of Thompson to an already impressive young group in Detroit:
Ausar Thompson’s ceiling is INSANE
Athletic, defensive instincts, great playmaker and if the shot is serviceable, STUD
Thompson is a do-it-all forward who has the potential to be a two-way star in the NBA. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman wrote in his pre-draft evaluation that he "projects as more of a scoring wing and secondary playmaker" than his brother.
Thompson will be a big part of helping Detroit return to prominence in the coming years.
