Pistons Sign Undrafted Guard to Two-Year Contract

Detroit rewards Daniss Jenkins with a reported $8 million deal after his standout season.

Feb. 8, 2026 at 10:31pm

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The Detroit Pistons have signed undrafted guard Daniss Jenkins to a two-year contract worth a reported $8 million. Jenkins has been a standout contributor for the Pistons this season, averaging career-highs of 8.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 42 games played so far, including eight starts. The Pistons are the top team in the East with a 38-13 record and are rewarding Jenkins for his efforts.

Why it matters

The Pistons are showing faith in their current core by keeping the team largely intact at the trade deadline and rewarding an undrafted player who has stepped up this season. This move demonstrates the team's commitment to developing young talent and building around their current group.

The details

The Pistons acquired Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric from the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade prior to the deadline, but opted not to make any major moves that would disrupt their current success. They are now signing Daniss Jenkins, who went undrafted in 2024, to a two-year contract worth a reported $8 million, using part of their bi-annual exception. Jenkins has been a pleasant surprise this season, making a big leap from averaging just 1.0 point per game as a two-way player last year to posting career-highs across the board this season.

  • The Pistons made a minor trade prior to the trade deadline on February 9, 2026.
  • Detroit is signing Daniss Jenkins to a two-year contract on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Daniss Jenkins

A 24-year-old guard who went undrafted in 2024 and is now being rewarded with a two-year contract from the Pistons after a standout season.

Trajan Langdon

The Pistons' president of basketball operations, who said the team discussed bigger deals prior to the trade deadline but ultimately decided to keep their core intact.

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What they’re saying

“There were some things, whether it was the other team pulling out or us just saying, now's not the right time for that. There were some things that I wouldn't say, got close, that we thought about but didn't execute.”

— Trajan Langdon, Pistons President of Basketball Operations (ESPN)

What’s next

The Pistons will look to continue their strong season and make a deep playoff run, with Daniss Jenkins now a key part of their rotation.

The takeaway

The Pistons are demonstrating patience and faith in their current core, rewarding an undrafted player who has stepped up this season. This move shows the team's commitment to developing young talent and building around their current group, rather than making win-now trades that could disrupt their chemistry and success.