Could Ausar Thompson’s New Jump Shot Change Detroit’s Future? Net Worth and Contract Breakdown
Synopsis
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson has never been known for outside shooting, but in the last two playoff games, he has attempted and made several jump shots that have surprised everyone. In Game 2 he hit a stunning step-back three that was ruled just after the buzzer. In Game 3 he attempted three more. If the development is real, it changes Detroit's entire offensive capability. Thompson earns $8.775 million this season on a four-year $36.2 million rookie deal, with total career earnings of approximately $25.1 million. He becomes a restricted free agent in 2027.
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson has never built his game around shooting from deep. Most teams have been comfortable leaving him open on the perimeter and focusing instead on stopping his drives and athletic cuts to the basket. But over the last two playoff games, that suddenly started to change, and it may become one of the biggest developments for Detroit moving forward.
Key Highlights
- Ausar Thompson hit a stunning step-back three in Game 2, though it was ruled just after the buzzer, it appeared to unlock a new level of confidence in his game.
- In Game 3, Thompson attempted three outside jumpers including two corner threes and one made shot with his foot on the line.
- Thompson is playing through foul trouble in the series but finding creative ways to contribute offensively beyond his usual athleticism and cutting.
- Thompson's current season salary is $8.775 million, rising to $11.1 million in 2026-27 on his four-year rookie deal with Detroit.
- Total career earnings through the end of the 2025-26 season sit at approximately $25.1 million, with restricted free agency coming in 2027.
Ausar Thompson’s Confidence Looks Different Right Now
In Game 2 of the Pistons’ second-round playoff series, Thompson found himself with the ball late in the shot clock after a blocked shot. With almost no time left, he stepped back behind the three-point line, slid away from a defender, and knocked down a smooth jumper. The basket was eventually waved off because it came after the buzzer, but the shot itself caught everyone’s attention. More importantly, it seemed to give Thompson confidence.
In Game 3, he looked far more willing to shoot from the outside. He attempted three jumpers, including two from the corner, and made one long two-pointer with his foot on the line. For most players, that would not sound unusual. For Thompson, it was a noticeable shift.
He has spent much of his young NBA career contributing through defence, energy, rebounding, and athleticism. Shooting has always been viewed as the weakest part of his offensive game. That is why these recent attempts matter so much for Detroit.
Why This Could Change Detroit’s Offence
The Pistons have struggled at times with spacing because defenders often ignore Thompson on the perimeter and crowd the paint instead. That makes life harder for Detroit’s ball handlers and drivers.
Even the possibility that Thompson can hit outside shots changes how defences react to him.
If defenders start respecting his jumper, they can no longer freely sag into the lane. That creates more room for teammates to attack the basket and opens the floor for the entire offence. Thompson does not need to become an elite shooter overnight. Simply taking two or three outside shots per game with confidence could force defences to adjust. That would make Detroit much harder to guard.
Thompson Is Still Producing Despite Foul Trouble
Another encouraging sign for the Pistons is that Thompson is finding ways to stay involved offensively even while dealing with foul trouble during the series. Earlier in his career, foul issues sometimes limited his impact because so much of his offence depended on athletic plays around the rim.
Now, he appears more comfortable mixing in jumpers and half-court offence instead of relying only on transition opportunities and cuts. That kind of growth is important in the playoffs, where defences take away easy baskets and force players to adapt.
His Contract
Thompson is currently playing on the rookie contract he signed after being selected fifth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
He is earning $8.775 million during the 2025-26 season, and that number will rise to about $11.1 million in 2026-27, the final year of his current deal. By the end of next season, his total career earnings will reach roughly $25.1 million.
He is set to become a restricted free agent in 2027, which means Detroit will have the ability to match offers from other teams. If Thompson develops into a reliable two-way player with a respectable jump shot, his value could rise dramatically before that next contract arrives.
The Bigger Picture for Thompson
At just 22 years old, Thompson already has a reputation as one of the NBA’s best young defenders and athletes. The only major question surrounding his long-term ceiling has been his shooting. That is why these playoff moments feel important.
Nobody is claiming he has suddenly become a great shooter after a couple of games. But confidence matters, especially for young players. Thompson looks more willing to trust his jumper, and the Pistons are clearly encouraging him to keep taking those shots. If this improvement continues, Detroit may have found the missing offensive piece in a player who already impacts games in so many other ways.
FAQs
- What changed with Ausar Thompson in the playoffs?
He started taking outside jump shots with more confidence, including a step-back three in Game 2 and multiple jumpers in Game 3.
- How much is Thompson making this season?
He is earning $8.775 million during the 2025-26 NBA season.
- When does his current contract end?
His rookie contract runs through the 2026-27 season.
- When will he become a free agent?
Thompson is expected to become a restricted free agent in 2027.
- Why is his jump shot so important for Detroit?
If defenders respect his shooting, it creates more space for the Pistons’ offen and makes the team harder to defend.
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