One of the worst defensive teams in the NBA just got a major defensive boost. With the fifth overall pick in Thursday night's NBA draft, the Pistons selected 6'7 forward Ausar Thompson -- one pick after his twin brother Amen went to the Rockets.
Based on his pre-draft meeting with the Pistons, Thompson said it was no surprise that he wound up in Detroit: "I felt like there was a connection, there was chemistry. I liked what they were talking about, I liked the direction they wanted to go as a team and I just felt like that was a perfect place for me."
Thompson played last season in the Overtime Elite league, where he averaged 16.3 points and 6.9 rebounds, plus 2.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He'll give the Pistons size and athleticism on the wing, where they need it, as they try to enhance a core headlined by guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
"Freak athlete," said ESPN's Jay Bilas, noting Thompson's 7-foot wingspan.
Thompson, 20, has work to do as a shooter, but he's considered a good passer, a smart cutter and an asset in transition. Still, "where I think he can stand out," said Bilas, "he’s got the ability to be an elite defender."
Pistons GM Troy Weaver has made it a point to rebuild the Pistons' defensive identity after watching his team routinely allow 120-plus points last season.
"Defense has to be our ethos," he said in February. "It’s synonymous with Detroit Pistons basketball. That has to get fixed. We have to be great defensively, not good. If we’re going to be the Detroit Pistons and have a chance to be who we are in the restoring, defense has to be at the forefront. We’ll get that fixed, for sure."
They took a leap in that direction Thursday night.
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