Pistons GM Trajan Langdon Inspires Hope For Big Ausar Thompson Leap With Latest Update

The Detroit Pistons selected Ausar Thompson with the fifth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, a selection that many fans feel the jury is still out on.

Thompson showed flashes of brilliance as a high octane defensive stopper during his rookie season but serious concerns remain about his jump shot.

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Thompson shot over 48 percent from the field last season but his three-point shot and the range on his shot in general are works in progress.

The former Overtime Elite League star appeared to be practicing on the job last season from beyond the three-point arc as he shot just 18.6 percent from distance on 1.8 three-point attempts per game.

According to new Pistons GM Trajan Langdon, Thompson is working hard to make sure he improves in that key area, at least enough to keep defenses honest.

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"He's in the gym every day working with Fred on his shot," Langdon said according to Piston Powered about Fred Vinson, the Pistons' widely respected shooting coach.

The Pistons have begun to build a defensive-minded team around young players like Thompson, Jalen Duren and Ron Holland.

If Coach JB Bickerstaff's team is to take a positive step next season, they will need to improve their shooting in all areas beyond halfcourt.

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Detroit ranked near the bottom of the NBA in both three-point percentage (at 34.9%) and two-point percentage (52.8%).

Thompson's improvement looms large as Detroit attempts to get back to its winning ways with hopes for a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

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