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Pistons Exercise 2027 Option on Guard Jaden Jenkins

5/22/2026

Summary

Pistons Exercise Option

The Pistons will exercise the 2027 option on guard Jaden Jenkins, said President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon.
He played 72 games, averaged 9.3 points and 4.0 assists, posted a career-high 30 points on March 23 as a starter for the injured Cade Cunningham, and added 15 points in an overtime win over Washington.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell told Jenkins after Game 7 that he was proud and should improve.

Summary

Pistons Eye Trades

Pistons hold the No. 21 pick and target Duke guard Isaiah Evans, a 38% three-point shooter, to fix shooting.
They have identified four trade targets—Tyler Herro (20.5 points on 48% shooting, 37.8% from three), Lauri Markkanen, Michael Porter Jr., and Trey Murphy III.
Markkanen posted 26.7 points on 47.7% shooting, but his $46M+ contract raises cap issues.
Murphy III contributed 21.2 points on 47% shooting, likely costing Detroit future first-round picks.

Summary

Pistons Waive

Detroit Pistons could waive Duncan Robinson for a $2 million buyout despite a $16 million 2026-27 salary after posting a 41 % three-point rate in 77 games.
A 3-year/$42 million Malik Beasley deal collapsed after gambling probe, leading to sign Robinson and Caris LeVert.
Jalen Ivey’s preseason injury erased his trade value, yielding Kevin Huerter and a first-round pick, while Tobias Harris and Jalen Duran are the starters whose choices could reshape the cap.

History

Historical Context

After the NBA reinstated a $4.6 million salary cap in 1984-85 and added a luxury-tax penalty in the 1990s, teams began trimming payrolls. In 1995, Detroit Pistons president Jerry West bought out veteran John Salley for $2.5 million, exemplifying early cap enforcement. Today’s Pistons negotiations echo that precedent, prioritizing flexible contracts and draft assets over costly veterans.

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Pistons Exercise Option

The Pistons will exercise the 2027 option on guard Jaden Jenkins, said President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon.
He played 72 games, averaged 9.3 points and 4.0 assists, posted a career-high 30 points on March 23 as a starter for the injured Cade Cunningham, and added 15 points in an overtime win over Washington.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell told Jenkins after Game 7 that he was proud and should improve.

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