Detroit Pistons made a roster move Tuesday, bumping up two-way center Tolu Smith on a two-year contract and waiving second-round pick Bobi Klintman.

Ausar Thompson writes about Detroit’s long journey to the postseason — and how this group can level up: “Life comes at you fast in this league. One season you’re 14–68, the next, you’re in the playoffs.

They last sat atop the East heading into the postseason when the late Flip Saunders patrolled the sidelines and Rip Hamilton was the Pistons’ leading scorer in 2007. Ron Holland II wasn’t even 2 years old yet, and Tobias Harris — the oldest player on Detroit’s roster this season — had yet to turn 15. Ausar Thompson, born in 2003, was in preschool.

Jaylon Tyson scored 22 points, James Harden added 18 and the Cleveland Cavaliers avenged a recent loss in Detroit by beating the East-leading Pistons 113-109 despite playing without injured star Donovan Mitchell.

The Detroit Pistons caught fire from beyond the arc as they downed the Pistons to win their first Central division title in 18 years.

This end-of-season Detroit Pistons mailbag breaks down how they could navigate offseason extensions for Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.

Pistons make late roster move before 2026 playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Detroit Pistons have made a late roster move ahead of the 2026 NBA playoffs.

The Pistons got within four points of the Magic with four minutes left in the game Monday, but Orlando found a way to hold onto its third win a row.