The Detroit Pistons are no longer concerned about the NBA Draft Lottery.
On the eve of the pre-draft event, the Pistons are busy playing in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Just two years ago, they were hoping to hit on the No. 1 pick in the lottery. Now, they are settled with pick No. 21.
A lot can change over the next month. The NBA Draft combine will take place, shaking up the recruiting results, and teams will continue to learn more about what they need.
In a pre-lottery mock draft put together by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Pistons take a chance on a Texas Tech standout, selecting Christian Anderson.
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 25: Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon during the BIG3 Playoffs at Smoothie King Center on August 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/BIG3 via Getty Images)
The Case For Christian Anderson
“The Pistons’ playoff journey has been, as expected, a near-nightly search for scoring and creation support for Cade Cunningham. They have to expand their offensive menu this offseason. Anderson would certainly help with that.
He is a good enough decision-maker to orchestrate an offense and an accurate enough shooter to maintain value off the ball. Both should be huge positives for the Pistons, who have the right kind of length and athletic explosiveness to offset Anderson’s deficiencies in those departments.” via BR
GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 10: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the first half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on April 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 David Jensen/Getty Images)
The Pistons’ immediate help for Cade Cunningham in the backcourt next season is unlikely to come from the late first-round territory, but the Pistons will have a chance to develop their second-highest pick under the President of Basketball Ops, Trajan Langdon.
Last season, the Pistons entered the draft with just a second-rounder. They took on Chaz Lanier, who hardly played a role beyond the G League.
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesFormer Tennessee star
Chaz Lanier, pictured during media availability at the NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, could be a potential target for the Golden State Warriors.
Anderson is a 20-year-old prospect who attended high school in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a four-star recruit who initially committed to the University of Michigan. Eventually, Anderson switched course and committed to Texas Tech.
With two NCAA seasons under his belt, Anderson started 40 out of 68 games. During his sophomore effort, Anderson shot 47.2% from the field and knocked down 41.5% of his threes on 7.9 attempts per game. He produced 18.5 points per game, while dishing out 7.4 assists, and coming down with 3.6 rebounds.
The Pistons certainly need to look for a Jaden Ivey replacement after cutting ties with their former first-rounder back in February. Anderson wouldn’t be as high of an investment, but he’ll be a name to keep an eye on.