Here’s a move that’s turning heads in the NBA: The Detroit Pistons are doubling down on a player who’s gone from benchwarmer to breakout star in just one season. According to ESPN, the Pistons are converting two-way guard Daniss Jenkins into a standard contract, signing him to a two-year deal with a team option for the 2026-27 season. But here’s where it gets interesting: Jenkins, who was undrafted out of St. John’s in 2024, has become a key piece for the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Pistons, averaging nearly 17 minutes per game with seven starts—a far cry from his limited playing time last season.
The deal, negotiated by Jenkins’ agent Derek Jackson of UNLTD Sports Group, leverages the team’s bi-annual exception to secure his talents. At just 24, Jenkins has proven himself as a tenacious perimeter defender while also shooting a respectable 39% from three-point range and dishing out 3.3 assists per game. And this is the part most people miss: His rapid development highlights the Pistons’ keen eye for untapped potential, turning an undrafted player into a valuable asset.
But here’s the controversial question: Can Jenkins sustain this level of play, or is this just a hot streak? While his growth is undeniable, the NBA is notorious for its unpredictability. Will he become a cornerstone of the Pistons’ future, or is this deal a calculated risk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one player’s journey that’s sparking plenty of debate.
