Pistons' 2026 draft pick depends on Timberwolves' success
The Pistons (52-20) sit atop the Eastern Conference, a few games ahead of the Boston Celtics (48-24).
The Detroit Pistons are rooting for the Minnesota Timberwolves to lose, but not too much , as they have the right to swap 2026-NBA Draft first round picks under certain conditions. The Pistons picked up the pick swap in a three-team trade on Feb. 3 involving the Pistons, Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls, with Jaden Ivey going to the rival Bulls and the Pistons receiving Dario Saric (who was later waived) and Kevin Huerter.
(In a salary dump, Minnesota sent veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. to Chicago. ) The Pistons enter their game with the T'wolves on Saturday (5:30 p.
m. , ABC/FanDuel Sports Network Detroit) owning the No. 28 overall pick; Minnesota sits at No.
22 . The potential pick swap, however is protected from spots 1-19, meaning for the Pistons to want to swap, Minnesota will need to finish with a better record than 19 other NBA teams, but worse than Detroit. The Pistons (52-20) sit atop the Eastern Conference , with a magic number of five to clinch the top seed in this spring's playoffs Detroit is on pace for roughly 60 wins and close to clinching their first Central Division title since the 2007-08 season (which was also the last time the franchise won a playoof series).