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How the Pistons just moved up seven spots in 2026 NBA Draft
TL;DR
The Detroit Pistons moved up seven spots in the 2026 NBA Draft to the 21st overall selection after a pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This change follows their recent victory against the Charlotte Hornets and the Raptors' loss to the Knicks.
Indianapolis — As the Detroit Pistons recorded their 59th victory of the season against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, their draft stock simultaneously improved.
Following the Toronto Raptors' 112-95 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Pistons' pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves has been conveyed. As a result, the Pistons will enter the 2026 NBA Draft holding the 21st overall selection. This marks a move up seven spots from Detroit's original selection at No. 28.
The Pistons improved their draft stock through the one deal they made at the trade deadline in February. It was a three-team trade between the Pistons, Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls, in which the two Central Division rivals exchanged Jaden Ivey for Kevin Huerter.
More: Who will Pistons meet in playoffs? Play-In Tournament will set the matchup
What started as a bleak trade deadline ended with the Pistons strengthening their playoff rotation and improving their chances of selecting a promising prospect in the NBA Draft in late June.
In addition to the pick, Huerter has been vital to the Pistons' emergence as a strong Eastern Conference contender, averaging 11.5 points on 36.0% shooting from behind the arc over his last 11 games. The Bulls recently released Ivey following a series of live Instagram posts in which he held various criticisms, particularly the NBA's support for the LGBTQ+ community.
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: How the Detroit Pistons just moved up seven spots in 2026 NBA Draft
Q&A
How did the Pistons improve their draft position for the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Pistons improved their draft position through a pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a three-team trade that involved Jaden Ivey and Kevin Huerter.
What is the current draft position of the Detroit Pistons for the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Detroit Pistons currently hold the 21st overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft after moving up from the 28th position.
What impact did the Raptors' loss have on the Pistons' draft stock?
The Toronto Raptors' loss to the New York Knicks allowed the Pistons to finalize their pick swap with the Timberwolves, enhancing their draft stock.
