Ausar Thompson should follow Amen’s blueprint to simplify offensive evolution

Maxwell Ogden argues that Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson should follow the development blueprint of his twin brother, Amen Thompson, by drastically improving his free-throw shooting. Ogden points out that Amen's leap with the Houston Rockets to 18.3 points per game in 2025-26 coincided with raising his free-throw accuracy to 77.9 percent, which discouraged opponents from fouling him on aggressive drives.

According to the analysis, Ausar's offensive evolution depends on establishing a similar threat from the charity stripe to complement his elite finishing at the rim. While Ausar has raised his free-throw mark to 68.4 percent early in the 2026-27 season, Ogden suggests reaching the mid-70s will fully unlock his slashing ability and overall offensive potential.