The Detroit Pistons made a quiet but smart move this week, picking up the $4 million team option on Daniss Jenkins. According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of Hoopshype, the decision was expected and it’s easy to see why.
Jenkins was one of the few bright spots off the bench for Detroit last season. The 24-year-old guard averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 assists, and shot 37.4 percent from three over 72 games. He started 19 of those and quickly grabbed the backup point guard role behind Cade Cunningham. His quickness on defense and a surprisingly reliable jumper made him a perfect fit for a second unit that needed a spark.
His postseason numbers dipped a little, but that doesn’t erase what he showed during the regular season. For a team that’s still figuring out its identity beyond Cunningham, keeping a guy like Jenkins on a cheap contract is just good business. Four million dollars for a guard who can create his own shot and play both ends? That’s a bargain in today’s NBA.
What This Means for Detroit’s Offseason Plans
The Pistons already made one big cap-clearing move by shipping Isaiah Stewart to Memphis. They also brought in Isaiah Joe from the Thunder, adding another shooter to the mix. But there’s still work to do. Detroit is a great defensive team, no question. But in the playoffs, that defense wasn’t enough. They needed someone else who could create offense when Cunningham was getting doubled or trapped.
That weakness got exposed hard against the Magic in the first round. The Pistons had to climb out of a 3-1 hole just to get past Orlando, then ran into Cleveland and got knocked out. The Cavs series showed that one dynamic scorer isn’t enough. Detroit needs a secondary playmaker, someone who can break down a defense and make the right read when it matters most.
Free agency opens Tuesday, and the Pistons have some cap room to work with. They’ve got pieces to trade too. But bringing Jenkins back on a cheap option gives them flexibility. He’s not a star, but he’s a reliable rotation player who knows the system. That matters more than people think.
For now, the roster is taking shape. Cunningham and Joe are locks in the backcourt. Jenkins gives them depth. And if the front office can add one more shot creator, suddenly this team looks a lot more dangerous.
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