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Detroit Pistons to Pick at No.1 in the 2021 NBA Draft

Ross Bennellick profile picture
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The title says it all but it’s worth repeating – after winning the lottery earlier this week, the Detroit Pistons will have the first pick at this year’s NBA Draft.

Houston Rockets will select at No.2, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers at No.3; that is, once the draft gets underway on July 29.

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Former Pistons forward Ben Wallace was clearly delighted with his old team’s stroke of good fortune when speaking with ESPN:

“It’s going to mean a lot for this team. The team is headed in the right direction. We’ve got a group of young guys who come out and play hard on both ends of the floor. To add a No 1 pick to that caliber of team… the sky should be the limit!”

It’s been half a century since the Pistons last drafted a player at No.1. The man in question back then was NBA Hall of Famer Bob Lanier.

The big question on everyone’s lips now is, ‘who will the Pistons select?’

Detroit Pistons to Pick at No.1 in the 2021 NBA Draft

Will the Detroit Pistons Draft Cade Cunningham?

Point-guard Cade Cunningham is the consensus agreed No.1 pick at the 2021 draft. The Oklahoma product was the Big 12 Player of the Year as a freshman, averaging over 20 points per game from 43.8 percent shooting. Cunningham also chipped in with 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

Cunningham might be the nailed-on No.1 overall pick, as far as the pundits are concerned. But there is always a chance that Detroit looks elsewhere: The Pistons did select PG Killian Hayes last season. The 19-year-old spent much of 2021 on IR but did show glimpses of potential. Plus, there’s always the hope that Derrick Rose stays fit…

If not Cade Cunninghame, USC power forward Evan Mobley is a viable option and would probably fill more of a position of need.

Regardless of what Detroit decides to do, it should be a great night’s viewing. So be sure to tune in on July 29 via ESPN or the NBA app.

Full Order for the 2021 NBA Draft:

  1. Detroit Pistons
  2. Houston Rockets
  3. Cleveland Cavaliers
  4. Toronto Raptors
  5. Orlando Magic
  6. Oklahoma City Thunder
  7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota Timberwolves)
  8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls)
  9. Sacramento Kings
  10. New Orleans Pelicans
  11. Charlotte Hornets
  12. San Antonio Spurs
  13. Indiana Pacers
  14. Golden State Warriors

The remainder of the first round:

  1. Washington Wizards
  2. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston Celtics)
  3. Memphis Grizzlies
  4. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami Heat via the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns)
  5. New York Knicks
  6. Atlanta Hawks
  7. New York Knicks (from Dallas Mavericks)
  8. Los Angeles Lakers
  9. Houston Rockets (from Portland Trail Blazers)
  10. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee Bucks)
  11. Los Angeles Clippers
  12. Denver Nuggets
  13. Brooklyn Nets
  14. Philadelphia 76ers
  15. Phoenix Suns
  16. Utah Jazz

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Detroit Pistons to Pick at No.1 in the 2021 NBA Draft

Ross Bennellick is a veteran sports betting expert with decades of experience. Armed with a BA in Screenwriting and an MA in Creative Writing, he combines his love of sacks, Anaconda Chokes, and bicycle kicks with his storytelling skills to provide insightful analysis, tips, and strategies. Ross developed his unique perspective and passion for sports at high school, where he played rugby, basketball, and cricket. He covers a wide range of leagues and disciplines, including the NFL, NCAA, NBA, soccer, rugby, cricket, and UFC, offering a versatile, engaging, and informative take on the world of sports betting and the current legal landscape in the US. Away from Basketball Insiders, you will also find Ross's work at GiveMeSport and the Florida-based MMA platform, FightBananas (among others).

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