DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 25: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives past Nique Clifford #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

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Anne Erickson

By Anne Erickson

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The Detroit Pistons were on top of the world during the 2025-26 season, until they weren't.

Seriously, this team was winning games left and right. Just two years out from being the laughingstock of the NBA, they easily made it to the playoffs and beat some of the best teams in the NBA, including the New York Knicks.

But, their postseason ended with a Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Detroit. They still seem to have some playoff nerves that need to be addressed next season.

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Who did the Pistons select first? Ebuka Okorie from Stanford.

Cameron Salerno of CBS Sports gives the team a B grade for picking Okorie. He also gives them a B+ for going with center Ugonna Onyenso out of Virginia.

"The Pistons made a bold move to jump up a few spots — specifically, ahead of the Toronto Raptors at No. 19 — to secure one of the top point guards in the class and provide valuable insurance for Cade Cunningham," he notes in the piece. "Okorie, who averaged 23.6 points per game as a freshman at Stanford, is quick and offers a different dynamic than the Pistons' star guard."

He adds: "There will be opportunities to play those two together. Onyenso is an elite rim protector who led the country with a 17.4% block rate. That's good value at No. 53, especially after trading Isaiah Stewart."

My Take: The Pistons Made an A Choice in the Draft Because of Cade Cunningham

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 25: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives past Nique Clifford #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

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Frankly, the absolute top need for the Pistons next season is getting Cunningham some relief and help. That's exactly what they did by drafting Okorie.

So, I give this move an A grade. They made a risky move to jump up and take him, but by doing so, they snagged an elite point guard. If Cunningham had a guy like Okorie during the team's playoff run last season, they could have gone much further.

So, yes, this was the right decision. The Pistons had to land a Cunningham complement, and that's what they did. If they can get the rest of their roster set, there's no reason Detroit can't go deep during the next season.

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