Hunter Patterson

@hunterpatterson.bsky.social

Covering the Detroit Pistons for The Athletic.

Can confirm, per a league source, the Pistons have agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with John Collins. Only the first year is guaranteed. Collins shot a career-high 40.6% from 3-point range last season on 3.2 attempts per game.

The Pistons wanted Ebuka Okorie enough to trade up four spots to select him Tuesday. Trajan Langdon describes Okorie as “a winner” and sees him becoming “a weapon that can get paint touches at will” with Detroit: www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

Pistons trade up for Ebuka Okorie at No. 17: ‘He’s a winner’ (Gift Article)

"I'm not going to take this for granted, and I'm just going to keep working every day," Okorie said after being drafted.

nytimes.com

Ausar Thompson when I asked if he thought he was one of the best defenders in the league: “One thousand percent. I think I’m the best.” Now he’s the first Piston to make All-Defensive First Team since Ben Wallace in 2006. www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Ausar Thompson is the Pistons’ floor-raising, defensive dynamo (Gift Article)

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren are Detroit's two best players. But Thompson showed against the Thunder why he's the biggest X-factor.

nytimes.com

Paul Reed and Jalen Duren have been close since last season. But this playoff run has strengthened the bond they share. On their connection and how it helped push the Pistons to another Game 7: “I don’t think anybody in here is as happy for JD as I am.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Pistons’ Jalen Duren, Paul Reed flex their strength to force Game 7 against Cavs (Gift Article)

Duren, who has struggled throughout most of the postseason, had his best game of the Eastern semis when the Pistons needed it most.

nytimes.com