Detroit — The first step in the Detroit Pistons‘ roster reconstruction this summer will take place during the 2026 NBA Draft. The first round is scheduled for Tuesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The days of the Pistons hoping for a franchise savior through the lottery are behind them. This year, they hold the No. 21 overall pick. Despite having only one selection in the second half of the draft, president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon is focused on making the most of this opportunity.
Langdon’s objective is to select a prospect who can improve the Pistons’ floor spacing or ball-handling — two crucial attributes the team identified as contributing to their second-round playoff exit against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Alongside evaluating on-court compatibility, Langdon and the Pistons also are expected to seek prospects that align with the team’s culture and identity.
Here are three ideal players the Pistons could consider during the draft:
Baylor’s Cameron Carr reacts after scoring during the second half against Arizona at Foster Pavilion on Feb. 24, 2026, in Waco, Texas.
Cameron Carr, Baylor
During his pre-draft availability last Thursday, Langdon said the Pistons will not be moving back in the draft. In fact, if any moves are made, they will aim to move up a few spots in hopes of landing one of their desired prospects.
Carr from Baylor is a notable prospect who has caught the Pistons’ attention. At 21, Carr is expected to be selected right outside of the lottery but is unlikely to still be available by the time No. 21 rolls around.
The 6-foot-5 guard made a strong comeback after an injury-plagued season, during which he missed all but four games of his final year at Tennessee because of a thumb injury. Carr’s scoring skyrocketed, averaging 18.9 points on 49.4% shooting from the field and 37.4% shooting from behind the arc during his lone season at Baylor. He finished the 2025-26 season ranked fourth in scoring in the Big 12 Conference.
As a scoring guard who can excel both on and off the ball, Carr also is a reliable rebounder. He averaged a career-high 5.8 rebounds last season.
Carr has a skinny frame, which could lead to a slow introduction to the league. As he grows, he has the potential to become a great 3-and-D player. Last season, Carr finished ninth in blocks, averaging 1.3 per game.
He is one of several prospects who participated in a pre-draft workout with the Pistons.
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Stirtz, 22, is arguably the best prospect the Pistons can land with the No. 21 pick. He is entering the draft as one of the nation’s top shooters.
Stirtz is one of the purest shooters in his class. In two seasons, he shot 37.2% from behind the arc while averaging 19.5 points in 72 career games with Iowa. Stirtz provides floor spacing and essential intangibles the Pistons need in a second playmaker and facilitator. In 37 games last season, Stirtz averaged 4.4 assists, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.
At 6-foot-3, Stirtz is a solid defender who is capable of forcing turnovers. However, it may take some time for Stirtz’s defensive skills to adapt to the pros, particularly in meeting the Pistons’ stringent defensive standards. It might take a year or two for Stirtz to find his niche at the NBA level.
Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) and Michigan forward Will Tschetter (42) pressure Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) in the second half as Michigan takes on Alabama in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament midwest regional at the United Center on March 27, 2026 in Chicago. Michigan wins, 90-77.
Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama
The Pistons’ top priority in the draft will be to add a shooter. However, Langdon noted the number of teams also looking to acquire a shooting prospect may cause the Pistons to miss out on a preferred candidate. So they could shift their focus to adding a player who can address ball-handling needs. As a result, the back half of the first round will offer the Pistons several guards, highlighted by Philon.
In his sophomore season, Philon, 20, demonstrated growth as a playmaker and facilitator. He averaged a career-best 5.0 assists, which ranked fourth in the SEC. Philon’s playmaking ability could help the Pistons maintain offensive flow during periods without Cade Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins.
Philon averaged a career-best 22.0 points last season, third-best in the conference, with improvements as a 3-point shooter. He shot 40.0% from behind the arc as a sophomore, up from 31.5% his first year.
As a 6-foot-4 guard, Philon’s size allows him to adjust to the NBA level, perhaps more than Stirtz, especially defensively. He finished his college career averaging 1.3 steals in 70 games. He also recorded 18 blocks.
NBA Draft
➤ When: 8 p.m. Tuesday (Round 1) and Wednesday (Round 2)
➤ Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
➤ TV: Round 1 on ABC/ESPN; Round 2 on ESPN
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons should consider these prospects with No. 21 pick in NBA Draft