The Palace of Pistons Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Detroit Pistons 48.5 Win Total, Jalen Duren’s Return & Preseason Winners and Losers Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down the latest storylines surrounding the Detroit Pistons as the regular season approaches.

The guys kick things off by discussing Detroit’s over/under win total of 48.5 wins for the upcoming season. Is this a realistic expectation for the Pistons after last season’s success, or are the expectations getting too high?

Next, they discuss Jalen Duren’s first preseason appearance since signing his massive five-year, $200 million contract extension. What did his performance tell us about his development and what fans can expect from him this season?

Finally, Aaron and Jasper hand out their preseason winners and losers, highlighting the Pistons players who have stood out so far and those who have struggled to make an impression.

Subscribe to the Palace of Pistons Podcast for more Detroit Pistons analysis, news, and discussion throughout the NBA season!

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Ausar Thompson’s Breakout Season Is Coming? | Pistons Preseason Takeaways Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia are back on the Palace of Pistons Podcast, part of the Bleav Podcast Network, to break down the biggest takeaways from the Detroit Pistons’ first preseason game!

The guys discuss why Ausar Thompson looks poised for a breakout season after his impressive preseason performance, how Detroit’s offseason additions have created more lineup versatility, and which Piston could be at risk of falling out of the rotation based on his first preseason showing.

Plus, Aaron and Jasper break down Jalen Duren’s contract extension press conference, what the Pistons center had to say, and how he can get back into the swing of things with the regular season approaching and limited preseason time remaining.

Subscribe to the Palace of Pistons Podcast for the latest Detroit Pistons news, analysis, rumors, and discussion!

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The Jalen Duren Contract Saga Is OVER Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

The Jalen Duren saga is finally over! Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia are back on the Palace of Pistons Podcast to break down Duren signing a five-year, $200 million contract extension with the Detroit Pistons.

The guys discuss the report that Duren was hoping for a sign-and-trade, how the tense contract negotiations impacted his relationship and image with the Pistons and their fanbase, and whether those feelings can be put in the past now that a deal is finally done. They also discuss how quickly Duren can get integrated back into the team, what the extension means for Detroit moving forward, and much more.

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Pistons Extend Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren Wants Out & What Happened With Kawhi Leonard? Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Aaron Johnson is joined by 97.1 The Ticket and WWJ Pistons Pre & Postgame host Jeremy Otto to break down the latest major storylines surrounding the Detroit Pistons. The guys discuss Ausar Thompson's five-year, $155 million extension, the reports that Jalen Duren is turning down Detroit's reported $200 million offer and could be seeking a trade, and the latest details on what actually transpired when the Pistons pursued Kawhi Leonard this offseason. What does Ausar's extension mean for Detroit's future, where does the Duren saga go from here, and how serious was the Pistons' pursuit of Kawhi?

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Jalen Duren May Take the Qualifying Offer?! Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down the latest report from Marc Stein that Jalen Duren is increasingly likely to accept the qualifying offer and return to the Detroit Pistons next season. The guys discuss how the Pistons and Duren got to this point, what accepting the qualifying offer would mean for both sides, the risks and benefits of Duren betting on himself, and whether they actually believe Duren will take the qualifying offer or eventually agree to a long-term extension with Detroit.

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Breaking Down EVERY Major Pistons Offseason Addition Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down Detroit’s key offseason acquisitions and how John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince, and Ebuka Okorie could impact the Pistons this season. The guys examine each player’s strengths, expected role, and fit within Detroit’s roster before diving into the fallout from the NBA’s Kawhi Leonard and Clippers investigation and how it could ultimately impact Jalen Duren and the Pistons.

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How Do the Pistons Stack Up in the East? | Eastern Conference Tiers + Jalen Duren Contract Update Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Aaron Johnson takes a closer look at the Eastern Conference and breaks down the league’s top teams heading into the 2026-27 season. With the offseason reshaping the conference around Detroit, Aaron examines how the biggest contenders have improved, which teams have taken a step back, and where the Pistons currently stand among the East’s elite.

Aaron also dives into the latest update in the Jalen Duren contract saga, with reports indicating that Duren and the Pistons are expected to reach an agreement in the range of 4 years and $160 million. What would the deal mean for Detroit’s future, and is that the right price to pay for their young center?

It’s a full Eastern Conference check-in and an important update on one of the Pistons’ biggest offseason storylines.

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Pistons Schedule Is HERE: Brutal Start, 19 National TV Games & the Duren Contract Saga Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia are back to break down the Detroit Pistons’ newly released 2026-27 regular-season schedule! The guys dive into Detroit’s tough opening stretch, including matchups against Boston, Miami, Philadelphia and New York, while discussing what the Pistons’ 19 nationally televised games say about the franchise’s growing profile around the NBA.

Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down the Pistons’ brutal 2026-27 schedule, 19 nationally televised games, Jalen Duren’s contract situation, and the looming Ausar Thompson extension.Then, the focus shifts to Detroit’s biggest offseason contract situations. Is the Jalen Duren contract saga finally nearing its conclusion, and what could his next deal mean for the Pistons’ long-term plans? With Duren’s situation seemingly approaching an end, the clock is also starting to tick on Ausar Thompson’s looming contract extension and the financial decisions Detroit will have to make once Duren is locked in.

The guys discuss the schedule, national exposure, Duren, Ausar and what could be one of the most important stretches of roster-building in the Pistons’ recent history.

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The Jalen Duren Drama Continues + Breaking Down the Pistons' SG Competition Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Mike Anguilano and Aaron Johnson break down the latest developments in the Jalen Duren contract negotiations, including reports that the standoff could stretch into late August and the possibility that Duren ultimately plays on the qualifying offer. The guys discuss what that outcome would mean for both Duren and the Pistons, the leverage each side holds, and how the situation could impact Detroit's long-term plans.

They also shift their attention to the Pistons' projected starting lineup, with a deep dive into the battle for the starting shooting guard spot. Is Duncan Robinson's shooting enough to earn the nod? Does Isaiah Joe provide the ideal fit? Or could Daniss Jenkins emerge as the surprise winner? Mike and Aaron evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and lineup combinations for each candidate while projecting how Detroit's opening-night rotation could take shape.

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Breaking Down Detroit's Latest Trade & Ebuka Okorie's Summer League Debut Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast, Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia break down Detroit's latest trade, sending Caris LeVert to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris. The guys discuss what the deal means for the Pistons, whether the roster is actually better today than it was at the end of last season, and if fans should be frustrated that Detroit has yet to make a splashier move this offseason.

Later, Aaron and Jasper shift their focus to NBA Summer League, sharing their thoughts on rookie Ebuka Okorie's debut against the Philadelphia 76ers. They discuss the biggest standouts, the early disappointments, and which young Pistons have already begun making a case for a larger role heading into training camp.

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