The NBA G League team of the Detroit Pistons is set to conduct its annual open player tryout next month, with participants asked to pay a $250 non-refundable fee.
Footage from a previous tryout surfaced on social media, leaving some in the NBA world stunned by the quality of those taking part.
NBA World Reacts As Lowlights From Pistons’ $250 G League Tryout Go Viral
These paid open tryouts are an annual tradition and take place before the start of every NBA G League season. The Motor City Cruise, the Pistons’ G League franchise, is set to conduct its 2026 tryouts on September 20.
Ahead of this year’s tryouts, a video of the event went viral on social media. Fans shared their reactions to the video, with some poking fun at the players’ level.
One Los Angeles Clippers fan and influencer jokingly compared the tryouts to the WNBA’s level.
“The Detroit Pistons had a public try out for their G League team. Still better than the WNBA,” they wrote on X.
The Detroit Pistons had a public try out for their G League team 😂😂
Still better than the WNBA 😂
(@Fullcourtpass) pic.twitter.com/gULtQGm4Dp
— Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) August 5, 2026
Another joked that teams were accepting players as long as they paid the registration fee, even if they didn’t have the skills to make the team.
“Bro this [expletive] has me crying ain’t no way they just accepting anyone with $250,” they wrote.
bro this shit has me crying aint no way they just accepting anyone with $250 😭😭 https://t.co/9mMRnijpNF
— 𝙍𝟑𝘼𝙑𝙀𝙎 (@R3AVES) August 5, 2026
Many fans cited Jonathon Simmons, who paid $150 for a tryout with the Austin Toros before becoming an NBA player. Simmons enjoyed a successful NBA career, playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers.
“Perfect time to shoutout open tryout legend, Jonathon Simmons,” one NBA fan account wrote.
Perfect time to shoutout open tryout legend, Jonathon Simmons https://t.co/OJjM82S0Rz pic.twitter.com/WexZYdw21b
— HoopGrids.com (@HoopGrids) August 6, 2026
Another fan lamented that some players with the talent to compete in the G League, and possibly the NBA, may not be able to afford the $250 fee.
“If they’re sourcing talent. People with real talent might not be able to afford that fee,” they wrote.
One user joked about how this could become a hilarious punishment in fantasy football leagues.
“New fantasy football league loser punishment unlocked,” they wrote.
New fantasy football league loser punishment unlocked
— NBC7xSFW (@nbc7xSFW) August 5, 2026
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Amid a video of this tryout going viral, it is worth noting that these paid open tryouts are standard across the G League and help fund affiliate teams’ operations.
Each franchise may invite up to three standout players from these tryouts to its official training camp in the fall.
