Pistons Could Ease Playoff Exit Pain With ‘High-IQ Player'

The Detroit Pistons are done for the season, following a crushing Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sunday. What made the loss string even more for Pistons fans was that the game went down right in downtown Detroit.

But, now, it’s time for the Pistons to look ahead to the future. The team has a promising lineup, headed up by star guard Cade Cunningham, but they’ll have to pick wisely in the 2026 NBA draft.

The Pistons have the No. 21 overall selection in the draft. In a mock draft from NBC Sports published on Monday, May 18, Raphielle Johnson and Kurt Helin have Detroit taking guard Bennett Stirtz out of Iowa with the selection.

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“Stirtz is a high-IQ player who doesn't make many mistakes on the court, can shoot the 3-pointer and likes to play at a fast pace,” Helin states in the piece. “Detroit’s playoff run has shown how much it needs more shooting and some secondary playmaking around Cade Cunningham, and Stirtz can help with that.”

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My Analysis: The Detroit Pistons Need Cade Cunningham’s Assistance

More than anything, going into the new season, the Pistons need to get Cunningham some help. He’s shouldered a lot of the Pistons’ wins, and he’s going to burn out if he doesn’t have an equal on the court. Stirtz would be an incredible fit, seeing that he’s a high-IQ, 6-foot-4 player who has shown that he already has NBA-caliber shooting abilities.

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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 7:30 PM.