The Detroit Pistons may not be big players in the 2025 NBA Draft, but they still have one pick to work with.
The Pistons capped off a surprising regular-season run with a frustrating first-round playoff exit at the hands of the New York Knicks, who are now set to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
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After trading away their first and second-round picks (but later getting back a second-round pick from the Toronto Raptors), the Pistons’ lone pick in the draft is No. 37 overall.
NOT FAR AWAY: Knicks run to Eastern Conference finals eye-opening for how close Pistons are
It’s a low enough pick that some mock drafts don’t even go that far when making a prediction. But we’ve rounded up all those that have, with recent predictions on who the Pistons might take with their sole 2025 draft pick.
ESPN: PG Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford celebrates a 3-point basket against Michigan State early in the first half of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
The freshman guard was the third-leading scorer (11.6 points per game) for a top-seeded Auburn Tigers team that bowed out in the Final Four to the eventual champion Florida Gators. Along the way, he scored 20 points in a 78-65 Sweet Sixteen win over Michigan and another 10 in a 70-64 win over Michigan State in the Elite Eight.
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In other words, Detroit-area basketball fans may already be familiar with his game.
The Ringer notes that Pettiford is a creative ballhandler that can score inside as well as outside, but might struggle to adjust to the league with his relatively small 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame.
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 07: Alex Toohey of the Kings drives up court during the round 10 NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings at Cairns Convention Centre, on December 07, 2023, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report has the Pistons travelling overseas for their second-round pick, selecting the 21-year-old small forward Alex Toohey from the NBL’s Sydney Kings.
The 6-foot-9 Toohey averaged 10.6 points per game last season in his second professional year and could give Detroit some length on the perimeter. Bleacher Report calls him “one of the top options” among second-round prospects.
Feb 18, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones (1) dribbles the ball under pressure from Seton Hall Pirates guard Garwey Dual (33) during the second at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The four-year guard out of Marquette was a consensus second-team All-American in his senior season, averaging 19.2 points and 5.9 assists per game and leading the Golden Eagles to the NCAA tournament in back-to-back-to-back seasons.
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Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor calls Jones a “savvy at-rim finisher,” but also has some concerns about Jones’ athleticism and shooting percentages, both on the floor and at the free-throw line.
Yahoo: G Milos Uzan, Houston
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 07: Milos Uzan #7 of the Houston Cougars dribbles the ball against Denzel Aberdeen #11 of the Florida Gators during the first half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Speaking of O’Connor, he thinks the Pistons will select Houston’s transfer guard Uzan, writing:
“Adding another creator next to Cade Cunningham would make sense, especially someone like Uzan, who has long been a high-IQ combo guard who knits teams together with his playmaking skills and defensive hustle.”
Uzan has declared for the draft but still has college eligibility, which means he could withdraw his name from draft consideration by May 28.
NBA Draft Room: PF Bogoljub Marković, Serbia
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Marković isn’t the biggest international name in this year’s draft, but according to NBA Draft Room, he is the best draft prospect out of Serbia, who finished with the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.
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Draft Room calls Marković, “a skilled big who can shoot the rock and handle the ball but needs to develop his strength.”
The 2025 NBA Draft will take place on Wednesday, June 25, at 8 p.m. ET.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Who will Detroit Pistons draft? What mock draft experts are saying