CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the modern NBA, the formula for contention is clear: every serious playoff team needs at least two stars. One can carry a team to the postseason, but it takes two to stay there.
The Cavs and Detroit Pistons are both trying to solve that equation.
For the Cavs, the focus is on Evan Mobley — the gifted 24-year-old big man they believe can grow into the perfect complement to Donovan Mitchell.
For the Pistons, the search centers on Ausar Thompson, the dynamic, defense-first forward who could be the ideal running mate for Cade Cunningham.
Both franchises are chasing the same elusive breakthrough: consistency from their young cornerstone that transforms them from competitive to contending.
On the latest episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast following Detroit’s lopsided 116-95 loss to the Cavaliers, Detroit Free Press Pistons reporter Omari Sankofa II identified Thompson as the linchpin for the Pistons’ playoff aspirations.
“I think Asar Thompson is the key to a lot of that. Just a guy with his athleticism, like his innate gifts,” Sankofa explained. “He’s somebody, I think around the league people are pretty bullish on having a chance at being in the Most Improved Player of the Year conversation, he and his brother.”
Thompson struggled against Cleveland, scoring just six points in 15 minutes while battling foul trouble. But Sankofa’s assessment looks beyond one difficult night to the bigger picture of what Thompson could become for Detroit. His development trajectory could potentially transform the Pistons from a plucky young team into a legitimate threat in the East.
“If he’s that second star on some level, then I think that puts you a lot closer to contention where, you know, every contending team now has at least two go-to guys,” Sankofa said.
That sentiment would sound familiar in Cleveland’s locker room.
The Cavaliers are living a parallel storyline with Mobley — the former No. 3 pick who’s already an Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star and All-NBA second team forward but still is developing into an offensive centerpiece.
Under Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland is trying to empower Mobley to become their second reliable option next to Mitchell, the same way Detroit hopes Thompson can emerge alongside Cunningham.
For both teams, the next leap is about skill refinement and confidence. The Cavs want Mobley to be assertive, to make reads quicker, and to turn defensive dominance into transition opportunities. The Pistons need Thompson to channel his explosiveness into offensive production without losing the defensive edge that makes him special.
What makes Thompson’s development particularly critical is the context surrounding the Pistons’ front office. Most of the current roster wasn’t drafted by general manager Trajan Langdon, meaning this season serves as an evaluation period to determine which pieces truly fit the team’s future plans.
“He is, I think in evaluation mode still, you know, especially for a guy like Ausar who, you know, came back from blood clots last year and played himself back into shape,” Sankofa noted.
Detroit’s trajectory mirrors what Cleveland experienced just a few seasons ago — a young team on the rise, looking for proof that its potential can translate to postseason success. The Pistons’ dramatic improvement, jumping from 14 wins to 44 wins and pushing the Knicks to six games in the playoffs — has created expectations for continued growth. But that growth may ultimately hinge on Thompson’s ability to become more than just an elite defender and develop into a consistent offensive threat.
Beyond Thompson, Sankofa also identified 21-year-old center Jalen Duren as another key piece with significant upside.
“He’s also a guy that I think can eventually step into a bigger role, especially if he can improve his rim protection and operating in drop but still being able to contest 3s and some of the finer nuances of the defensive aspect of the game,” he said.
For Detroit, this season is about answering fundamental questions about their core: Can Thompson develop into that coveted second star? Will Duren continue his developmental trajectory? And perhaps most importantly, does this group have the ceiling to eventually challenge the Eastern Conference elite — teams like Cleveland, who are already navigating that same test?
Mobley’s growth in Cleveland and Thompson’s rise in Detroit may end up defining how far each team can go. Both are rare defensive talents with the chance to reshape their franchises’ futures. The blueprint is there — now, it’s about who can execute it first.
Want to hear Omari Sankofa II and host Ethan Sands’ full breakdown of the Pistons’ potential and Thompson’s pivotal role? Check out the complete episode of the _Wine and Gold Talk_ podcast for expert analysis on Detroit’s path forward.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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