CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Daniss Jenkins, guard for the Detroit Pistons, recently finished his final game under a two-way contract before signing a two-year deal with the organization.
To make room for the new contract, Detroit released big man Dario Šarić, whom they had just acquired in a trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls ahead of the trade deadline.
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The former Motor City Cruise guard spoke about his journey following the Pistons’ 118-80 blowout victory over the New York Knicks on Friday (Feb. 9) inside Little Caesars Arena.
Jenkins finished the game with 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Reflecting on his motivation, Jenkins shared that simple things like walking through the players’ parking lot and seeing the cars kept him driven.
“I don’t really spend money, but I do like to drive nice cars,” Jenkins said. “It’s just been a blessing. My whole life, I tell people, if I put my mind to something, I’m going to do it. With God on my side, my family, it’s up to me to trust my work and just trust God.”
Jenkins credited his time in the G League for helping him adjust to the professional pace of basketball.
“Getting live reps in the G League is everything I needed for my career,” Jenkins said. “I was itching to get out of there and do whatever I needed to do.”
Discussing the Pistons’ team depth, Jenkins emphasized the confidence it brings.
“It shows the depth of our team. That gives our starters, the fans, and us confidence that we’re ready for anybody we match up with,” Jenkins said. “It’s great to win games like this, especially when your bench can come in and give you a lift.”
Jenkins also discussed his frustration over missing a previous game. He sat out the Pistons’ matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers to play his final game under the two-way contract, which limits players to 50 games per season.
“I just wanted to impact the game like I always do, change the energy,” Jenkins said. “My teammates played really well, and I just had to come in and do my job.”
On carrying confidence as a two-way player, Jenkins revealed a chip on his shoulder from going undrafted.
“That burns inside of me every day,” Jenkins said. “I just know there was no difference between me and the guys that got drafted. I carry a big chip on my shoulder. I knew from the first summer league that I was an NBA player.”
Jenkins highlighted the importance of team chemistry for success.
“When you can play a game like that, it’s fun,” Jenkins said. “It’s hard to make games fun if you’re not winning. We all have one common goal, and when we get on the same page, it’s fun to play. That’s the whole point of basketball.”
The Pistons made the signing official on Monday, Feb. 9, announcing it on X.
The @DetroitPistons announced today that the team has signed guard Daniss Jenkins to a standard NBA contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a related move, the team has requested waivers on Dario Saric. pic.twitter.com/vx6h6Kjcua
— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) February 9, 2026
Jenkins, listed at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, has appeared in 42 games (seven starts) for Detroit this season.
He holds averages of 8.2 points, 3.3 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals while shooting 43% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range.
In seven starts this season, Jenkins has averaged 15.3 points, 6.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting 41.6%.
Jenkins is in his second season with the Pistons and has appeared in 49 career games for the team since 2024.
He opened up about the frustration of going undrafted despite feeling he was on par with those who were selected.
“If I’m being honest, and everybody knows I’m a very humble guy, but in college, man, like most of these dudes that got drafted, like, what was the difference between me and them? Like, what y’all tell me? What was the difference?” Jenkins said.
He described going undrafted as “insanity” that burns inside him every day.
“I’m not going to get into it. But that took something away from me, you know what I mean? And it is what it is,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins channels that feeling into motivation.
“They’re going to have to see me every time I match up with somebody that I know, whoever was drafted or whatever. Like, I mean, I just take that personal, man,” Jenkins said.
He firmly believes there was no difference between him and the drafted players.
“It is what it is. It’s the past. But for me, man, I just carry a big chip on my shoulder. I always say it’s just been me my whole life. Like I came in and had to prove myself,” Jenkins said.
Regarding proving he belongs in the NBA, Jenkins said, “I knew that from the first summer league, and I said that and I still stand by that to this day, because I knew we would get here.”
A native of Dallas, Texas, Jenkins was signed to a two-way NBA contract as an undrafted free agent on July 6, 2024.
Last season, Jenkins appeared in 47 games for the Cruise, averaging 18.5 points, 6.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 43% from the field.
He was named to the 2025 NBA G League All-Rookie Team.
Before his NBA career, Jenkins played his senior year of college at St. John’s, averaging 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 44.6% shooting from the field. He was named to the All-Big East second team.
Jenkins will debut his new contract Monday when the Pistons travel to Charlotte to face the red-hot Hornets. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.