Three players the Pistons could lose in free agency

wcc

May 18, 2026 - 05:12

0 1

Three players the Pistons could lose in free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Pistons' season has come to an end, as the number one seed fell to the number four-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, dropping game seven of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, 94-125. The Pistons will now join several other teams in the association in planning their offseasons and preparing for the upcoming campaign.

Detroit’s front office will have a few important decisions to make regarding three players, among others, who are now out of contract in the Motor City. Here’s who could depart, according to Spotrac.

Tobias Harris

The 33-year-old made his way back into the Little Caesars Arena in the offseason ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, coming off a six-year stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. The move to Detroit gave Harris a fresh start after a rather bitter ending in the City of Brotherly Love, and he’d play a consistent role for the Pistons.

Across his two seasons back in Detroit, Harris averaged 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, with these numbers elevating to 18 points and 7.5 rebounds during the two playoff runs. Given that the 33-year-old only signed on to return for a two-year deal, he is slated to hit free agency when the season comes to an end.

Kevin Huerter

Kevin Huerter has been on a quest to find the levels of personal success that he had during his first year with the Sacramento Kings, starting in 75 games, which cleared the way for 15.2 points per game on 48.5 percent shooting. Given that he was slated to come off the bench following his midseason move away from the Chicago Bulls, this was going to be tough to do in Detroit.

Throughout his 25 appearances in the Little Caesars Arena, the 27-year-old averaged 8.6 points off the bench. His playing time would only shrink in the postseason, taking the court for 9.2 minutes per night.

Huerter’s four-year deal that he penned during his time with the Kings is slated to end in the coming weeks, making him a name to watch in the free agency market.

Jalen Duren

The two aforementioned players are both set to become unrestricted free agents, which can’t be said for Jalen Duren, as his rookie deal is set to expire in the offseason, making him a restricted free agent. This means that the Pistons will have the opportunity to match any offer sent Duren’s way and bring him back to the Motor City.

Duren’s final year in his rookie contract proved to be his best one yet, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, which would be a part of why he was named to his first All-Star team, as well as finishing in 11th place for the Defensive Player of the Year voting. While it'd be imagined that, given Duren's role in the Pistons' success this season, he'd be a lock to get a new deal, it's not a guarantee.

All three players will be important figures to watch in the coming months as they’ll make the next steps in their careers.

More NBA news: