Pistons Sign Daniss Jenkins to Two-Year Standard Contract

Undrafted guard earns promotion from two-way deal after strong season with Detroit

Feb. 8, 2026 at 5:15pm

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The Detroit Pistons have signed Daniss Jenkins, a two-way player, to a two-year standard contract. Jenkins, who went undrafted out of St. John's in 2024, has impressed the Pistons' front office with his play this season and has earned a spot on the team's 15-man roster.

Why it matters

Jenkins' promotion from a two-way deal to a standard contract is a testament to his hard work and development. As a two-way player, he was limited to only 50 regular-season games, but his strong play has earned him a more permanent role with the Pistons, who currently have the second-best record in the NBA.

The details

Jenkins, 24, has been active in 50 of the Pistons' 51 regular-season games this season, averaging 8.2 points, 3.3 assists and 0.9 steals while shooting 39.1% from 3-point range in 16.8 minutes per game. The Pistons waived Dario Saric to make room for Jenkins on the 15-man roster.

  • Jenkins signed his two-year standard contract with the Pistons on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • The Pistons sat Jenkins on Thursday, February 6, 2026, against the Washington Wizards to preserve his eligibility for the game against the New York Knicks on Friday, February 7, 2026, where he scored 18 points off the bench in a 118-80 win.

The players

Daniss Jenkins

A 24-year-old guard who went undrafted out of St. John's in 2024 and has earned a promotion from a two-way contract to a standard two-year deal with the Detroit Pistons.

Jaden Ivey

The former No. 5 overall pick who was traded by the Pistons to the Chicago Bulls, making Jenkins more expendable.

Trajan Langdon

The Pistons' president of basketball operations, who praised Jenkins' development and ability to take advantage of opportunities.

Ausar Thompson

A Pistons player who was impressed by Jenkins' speed and skill when guarding him in practice as a scout team player mimicking Knicks star Jalen Brunson.

Rick Pitino

The legendary college basketball coach who recruited Jenkins to Iona and then convinced him to join him at St. John's.

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What they’re saying

“If I'm being honest, and everybody knows I'm a very humble guy, but in college, most of these dudes that got drafted, what was the difference between me and them? What? You tell me, what was the difference? For me, going undrafted is insanity to me, literally insanity, and that burns inside of me every single day.”

— Daniss Jenkins, Pistons Player (freep.com)

“Had a great camp and he's just continued his trajectory in getting better. When the opportunities come he's taken advantage of it.”

— Trajan Langdon, Pistons President of Basketball Operations (freep.com)

“I was guarding him, had to pick him up full-court, and he was just running super fast. I was like, 'It's more like a John Wall scout.' That's the moment that stuck with me that I will never forget, because I was like 'Whoa, this guy is fast.'”

— Ausar Thompson, Pistons Player (freep.com)

What’s next

The Pistons will look to continue their strong season with Jenkins as a key part of their rotation. The team currently has the second-best record in the NBA and is aiming to make a deep playoff run.

The takeaway

Daniss Jenkins' journey from undrafted free agent to earning a standard contract with the Pistons is an inspiring story of perseverance and hard work. His promotion is a testament to the Pistons' ability to identify and develop talent, and Jenkins' story serves as motivation for other undrafted players looking to prove they belong in the NBA.