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Thompson’s new contract follows a breakout season where he established himself as one of the league’s premier two-way threats. His contributions were instrumental in Detroit’s success, as he averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Most notably, he led the NBA with 2.0 steals per contest, a performance that earned him a selection to the All-Defensive First Team and a third-place finish in the league’s Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Defensive Prowess and Postseason Impact
The forward’s defensive influence extended well into the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where he maintained his high level of play across 14 postseason appearances. During that run, he averaged 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, demonstrating his versatility on the perimeter and in the paint. His defensive output reached a significant milestone during the postseason, as he became the first player to record at least 25 steals and 25 blocks in a single playoff run since Anthony Davis achieved the feat in 2020.
A Historic Offseason for the Thompson Family
This contract extension marks a notable moment in NBA history for the Thompson family. With Ausar’s $155 million deal finalized, he and his twin brother,
