The Detroit Pistons have a valuable first round draft pick at their disposal, but the 60-win squad from a year ago could travel in two very different directions with their selection in the 2026 NBA Draft
Since the 2026 NBA Draft is just over two weeks away, the Detroit Pistons still have some time to sort through their options once June 23 arrives. At that point, the Pistons will have the 21st overall selection in the first round, and they’ll have an opportunity to address two very different roster circumstances.
In the frontcourt, Tobias Harris is entering unrestricted free agency after starting every game for Detroit when healthy enough to do so during his 15th season in the NBA. Although Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon stated that Detroit plans to bring Harris back, the organization cannot ignore the reality that a long-term replacement must be identified eventually.
On the other hand, the Pistons know that they want to bring Harris back already, so perhaps they’d prefer to add perimeter shooting to help surround Cade Cunningham with more shot-makers when the postseason rolls around. This year, the Orlando Magic packed the paint against Detroit in the first round, and the Cleveland Cavaliers followed a similar script in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to oust the Pistons after seven games. Because both the Magic and the Cavs stayed at home, Jalen Duren had less room to operate in the low post, which created too much pressure on Cunningham to carry the scoring load.
Last season, Duncan Robinson hit three-pointers at a 41% clip during his first season as a Pistons, so Cunningham had at least one lethal perimeter threat to kick the ball to when the post was clogged. However, there are several accomplished marksmen in the draft this year, such as Isaiah Evans and Cameron Carr, and they both project as mid-to-late first round draft picks. So, the Pistons might need a little draft day luck to wind up with either of those prospects, but they both offer the type of range from behind the arc that Detroit could have used in the postseason.
On the other hand, there is no shortage of talented big men who could learn a lot from Tobias Harris over the next two seasons regardless of what kind of role the 35-year old has moving forward. In terms of mid-first round forwards who could be available at No. 21, Michigan produced a pair of prospects who could benefit the Pistons in two very different ways in Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr.
Both players were crucial to the Wolverines’ National Championship last season, but the former took on a much heavier burden as a creator and primary scoring threat for Michigan, whereas Johnson dominated the paint with aggressive rebounding and a mid-range game with touch around the hoop that should translate directly to the NBA level. Johnson came alive during Michigan’s March Madness run with several big performances along the way, but both players have the size to function in the frontcourt for the Pistons.
From a stylistic standpoint, Lendeborg might be more comfortable operating on the wing offensively, but that would only serve to help open up the paint for Duren to attack the basket or Cunningham to drive the lane. Johnson, on the other hand, would offer a game that is more similar to what Harris has provided over the past two seasons, so it depends on how head coach J.B. Bickerstaff wants to run the team moving forward.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
