The Detroit Pistons have officially agreed to a five-year contract extension with 23-year-old guard Osar Thompson worth a total of 155 million dollars. The new deal is fully guaranteed and carries an average annual salary of 31 million dollars. The first to report the transaction was the authoritative NBA insider Shams Charania, whose information was subsequently confirmed by both sides. For the Detroit club, this is a strategic move that secures one of the key elements of the team's defensive system for the next five seasons.
A guard who became elite
Last season, Osar Thompson transformed into one of the best defenders in the entire league. The basketball player made the All-Defense First Team, posting averages of 9.9 points, 2 steals per game — the best mark in the NBA — and nearly one block per game. His net rating while on the court was +7.5 points per 100 possessions, underscoring his direct impact on the team's results. It was precisely these numbers that formed the basis for the Pistons offering the player the maximum package available for his position.
A premium on offensive potential
At the same time, experts note that the 155-million-dollar contract is largely a premium on the development of Thompson's offensive arsenal. His three-point shooting remains a weak spot: last season he made only 25% of his three-point attempts. For a player aspiring to the status of one of the league's best defenders, such a figure is a limiting factor in expanding his offensive role. Nevertheless, Detroit is ready to invest in his growth, expecting that by the middle of the contract Thompson will become a fully two-way player.
Twins with a combined 363 million
The family context adds a special dimension to the deal: Osar's twin brother, Amen Thompson, signed an even larger contract with the Houston Rockets this summer, worth 208 million dollars over five years. Both brothers were selected back-to-back with the 4th and 5th picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. The combined value of their contracts is 363 million dollars, making them the most expensive twins in league history. For the Pistons and the Rockets, this confirms that an early investment in young defenders can pay off with a multiple return.
Duren remains Detroit's main question mark
While the Thompson matter is settled, the Pistons continue complex negotiations with center Jalen Duren. The club is offering around 190 million dollars over five years, while the player himself is seeking at least 40 million dollars per year. The gap between the two positions remains substantial, and the outcome of these talks will determine whether Detroit can build a full core for the coming seasons. For now, Thompson is the first of the key players whose future with the team has been locked in with a long-term contract.
Context: superstars' advertising income
Against the backdrop of the Thompson deal, it is worth recalling the information previously reported by the XAB.info editorial team that LeBron James earns nearly four times more from advertising contracts than from the Philadelphia franchise itself. This fact underscores that in the modern NBA the commercial component of a player's career often exceeds his base salary, and for young stars like Thompson, whose contracts are only just being formed, advertising potential will be the next stage of financial growth.
