The Detroit Pistons are still working through Jalen Duren's restricted free agency toward the end of August, and the franchise risks a similar scenario next year that the cashed up Golden State Warriors can look to exploit.
The prospect of Ausar Thompson also hitting restricted free agency next summer has already been mentioned, offering the Warriors a player to immedietly monitor this season if the young wing can't come to terms on an extension with the Pistons before opening night.
Pistons risk Jalen Duren scenario with Ausar Thompson
Detroit still have time to work out new deals for both Duren and Thompson, but it's highly unlikely that the latter reaches an agreement until his teammate's restricted free agency is finally resolved.
This Duren experience would suggest there's a good chance of Thompson also hitting restricted free agency in less than 12 months, with John Hollinger of The Athletic already discussing the prospect this week.
...There is an important question of which player they value more, one that will play out rather publicly if Thompson inks an extension shortly after Duren's deal is completed," Hollinger wrote. Of course, it's possible that, as with Duren, Detroit doesn't agree with Thompson on an extension and he becomes a restricted free agent next summer."
Thompson's in this awkward spot where he's clearly not a max-level player, having averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season. Like his twin brother Amen in Houston, Thompson has a shaky to bad jump-shot and he sits as a paltry 20.4% 3-point shooter on his career.
Yet he's also one of the best defenders in the league after finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year and being named to the All-Defensive First Team. There's certainly the upside for Thompson to reach the conversation of being a max player, or at least make things incredibly awkward as Duren has done for them this offseason.
Warriors can target Ausar Thompson with cap space next summer
Just as with the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga last offseason, the Pistons have been able to remain patient with Duren because there's a lack of cap space around the league. That won't be the case for teams with restricted free agents next offseason, with Golden State already a team to watch with less than $50 million on their books beyond this season.
Combine that with the picks the Warriors could also table in a sign-and-trade, and you have a situation where acquiring Thompson, or another restricted free agent, is not only possible, but arguably the best way for Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office to use their cap space outside an almost impossible move for Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic.
That's why it's worth monitoring rookie extensions prior to opening night, particularly with a player like Thompson on the back of how the Pistons have handled this Duren situation.
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