The Detroit Pistons need to find their long-term power forward sooner rather than later. Could that player be Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr.?
With just over two weeks remaining until the 2026 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons need to answer for themselves whether they’d rather pursue high-level three-point shooting in the first round or add a long-term answer at power forward instead. With the 21st overall selection, the Pistons are in a comfortable pivot-point in the mid-to-late first round range, so there should be a range of talented prospects available at that slot, and Detroit’s even worked out quite a few players already.
But if the organization is focused on finding the successor to Tobias Harris at the four as he heads into free agency, then the Pistons should look no further than Ann Arbor. Of course, Yaxel Lendeborg is a draftable Wolverine who would transform Detroit’s offensive potential single-handedly, but Morez Johnson Jr. is another big man who would fit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s non-negotiable defensive principles.
After spending his freshman season at Illinois, the 6-9, 250 pound Johnson transferred to Michigan and was an immediate staple to the Wolverines’ squad by delivering 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game spread across 40 starts. Johnson found another gear during March Madness and was named to the All-Tournament team after Michigan won the National Championship, so the impactful power forward accomplished a lot during his singular season under Dusty May’s tutelage.
But along those lines, May spoke about Johnson’s ability to play defense last year, which makes sense considering he landed on the All-Big Ten Defensive Team for his work in the low post without the ball.
“His ability to guard one-on-one with his size and strength on the perimeter was probably the most pleasant surprise and allowed us to switch one through five when a guy was out of the game,” May said. “He just had good awareness of what was going on around him and synergy with his teammates.”
On the offensive end, Johnson can play with his back to the basket in the mid-range or operate above the rim for lobs and put-backs, but it’s his defensive aptitude that could bolster his case for early playing time in the Motor City. Although Harris started in all 63 regular season games that he appeared in for the Pistons during the 2025-26 campaign (and 73/73 the year prior), Harris already has 15 NBA seasons under his belt. It would be wise for Detroit to bring in a player of Johnson’s caliber who can fill his role with a bit of coaching while perhaps lifting the squad’s defense to an even tighter level in the process.
Based on most recent mock drafts, Johnson is predicted to fall right in the mid-to-late first round range, though his stock has consistently risen ever since Michigan tore through their NCAA Tournament opponents. If the Michigan big man, who shot 62.3% from the field last season, is available when the Pistons step up to the podium, then Johnson could become the de facto power forward of the future in Motown.
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