Detroit Pistons’ Trajan Langdon talks offseason plans at year-end news conference
Detroit Pistons’ Trajan Langdon talks offseason plans at year-end news conference on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
The NBA Draft lottery brought more drama than usual on May 12. For the first time in a long time, the Detroit Pistons weren’t involved in the lottery draft.
It’s the first time since 2018 they don’t have a first-round draft pick, after it was conveyed to the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. After three-consecutive seasons falling to the fifth-overall pick, Pistons executives and fans were unbothered after the Dallas Mavericks made one of the most unlikely jumps in lottery history, moving up 10 spots to win the first-overall pick with just a 1.8% chance.
The Pistons have one second-round pick at 37th overall. It’s unclear what Trajan Langdon will do with it, after he acknowledged during his end-of-season press conference that there’s a chance all of their prioritized prospects are gone by that point. They could trade up or out of the draft altogether, depending on what’s on the table.
“I can’t tell you there’s a specific thing we’re looking at doing in the draft,” he said May 7. “Again, understand the landscape of it and see if we can move up if there’s a player we really like, but we have to look at how much that cost is for the kind of player we think we’re gonna get, and we’ll weigh all these things as we get information in Chicago and start doing our draft prep going forward for us to draft in June.”
With the NBA draft combine taking place in Chicago this week, here are three needs the Pistons could look to address in the June 25 draft and a prospect who would address each need.
Size
The Pistons’ frontcourt depth was already on the smaller side before Isaiah Stewart missed most of the postseason with right knee inflammation. Jalen Duren was their only player who could match the Knicks’ seven-footer duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Tobias Harris defended Towns and performed admirably despite giving up several inches, but it’s still an area of need.
They could use a big man who handles traditional responsibilities — rebounding, rim protection and screening — while also providing enough size to neutralize any advantages on the other end. Duren is listed at 6-feet-10 and 250. Stewart is 6-feet-8 and 250. Paul Reed is 6-feet-9, but light for a center at 210.
Draft option: Johni Broome, 6-10, 240, Auburn, C
Stats: 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 blocks. 0.9 steals, 51% overall, 27.8% from 3 (2.5 attempts per game).
The super-senior will be 23-years-old by the time next season starts. His versatility would fill several frontcourt needs — he’s a strong rebounder and rim protector, and an above-average passer for the position who can locate shooters and cutters. Broome’s 3-point percentage needs to improve, but he’s otherwise a high-floor prospect with day-one skills.
Power forward depth
Harris had a strong all-around season as the team’s starting four, and lifted his two-way play to another level in the playoffs. He needs support, though. Simone Fontecchio was phased out of the rotation after a rough regular season and Bobi Klintman, in his first season, wasn’t quite ready for primetime.
Draft option: Adou Thiero, 6-8, 220, Arkansas, F
Stats: 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 54.5% overall, 25.6% from 3 (1.6 attempts)
The lack of an outside jumper is the main thing holding Thiero back from the first round, because he’s a well-rounded prospect. Thiero is a physical, versatile defender who would match J.B. Bickerstaff’s philosophy on that end. He’s also a strong all-around athlete who rebounds well for his size, sees the floor and is best getting downhill. If the shot comes along, he has a chance to be a strong two-way player in the league.
Shooting
Every team needs shooting, right? Including the Pistons, who knocked down a respectable 36.2% of their 3-point attempts last season, ranking 17th overall. There’s still room for improvement, especially if one or both of Malik Beasley or Tim Hardaway Jr. aren’t retained in free agency this summer.
Draft option: Drake Powell, 6-5, 185, North Carolina, G/F
Stats: 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 48.3% overall, 37.9% from 3 (2.6 attempts)
The freshman guard had strong measurements at the combine, clocking in at 6-5.25 inches tall without shoes and a 7-foot wingspan. He has a strong track record for knocking down 3-pointers since high school and is switchable on defense, giving him long-term potential as a 3-and-D wing who can thrive alongside Cade Cunningham.
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