The Detroit Pistons have officially declined the $4.57 million team option on Wendell Moore Jr. for the 2025-26 season. This decision means the 23-year-old forward will enter unrestricted free agency following this season.
NBA insider Michael Scotto reported the news, noting that Moore played in 54 games over the past two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to Detroit. His recent performance has led the Pistons to evaluate their roster options carefully.
Wendell Moore was originally selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 26th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His rights were subsequently traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a deal involving Christian Wood. He was then traded to the Timberwolves in exchange for the 29th overall pick, TyTy Washington Jr., along with two future second-round picks.
During his time with the Timberwolves last season, Moore gained experience in the G League, playing eight games for the Iowa Wolves. In those appearances, he averaged 19 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 35.2 minutes per game.
This past summer Moore was traded to the Pistons along with the 37th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This trade occurred in exchange for the 53rd pick in the draft and some cleared salary.
So far this season, Moore has had limited opportunities with the Pistons. He has appeared in only one of Detroit’s five regular season games, where he went scoreless in just one minute of play during a loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
