Detroit — On the first floor of the Henry Ford Performance Center is the Detroit Pistons’ practice court. In previous years, the practice court usually has been quiet, except when it is used for pre-draft workouts the franchise conducts in mid-June.
This year, however, the practice court has been just as busy as it was during the previous seven months of the 2025-26 season. The Pistons currently have around 11 players on their roster participating in a voluntary training session. They are motivated by their disappointment after being eliminated in the second round by the Cleveland Cavaliers, despite winning 60 games in the regular season.
“These guys are in here and want to get better. We have a group that cares,” president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. “We have a staff that has put things in place for our guys to develop, and that everything they do is intentional. I am excited about our guys’ summer. I know they are going to attack it in a way that I know they are going to come back different.”
Improving for next season means players have taken the initiative to change their offseason training and self-evaluate what led to their early postseason exit. While players on the current roster have begun working hard to build on last season’s success, Langdon has taken a similar approach in the front office.
For the first time in his tenure, Langdon is responsible for improving a roster that faces lofty expectations. The pressure of being seen as a contender has Langdon considering all possibilities for revamping the roster.
The first step in making changes to the Pistons’ roster will take place during the 2026 NBA Draft, scheduled for Tuesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Pistons hold the No. 21 pick in the upcoming draft, and Langdon is very clear about the attributes they are looking to add with this selection — prospects who can improve Detroit’s shooting or ball-handling.
“We feel like we are going to get a really good player here. We did not anticipate the number of players who decided to go back due to NIL. That has thinned the draft, but we still think it will be a good one,” Langdon said. “For us, it is going to be who is the best player there. Does this player fit our environment and our identity?”
Langdon believes the Pistons are fortunate to have the 21st pick. They obtained the selection in a swap for No. 28 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, part of a three-team trade that also brought Kevin Huerter to Detroit from the Chicago Bulls in February.
The depth of the 2026 NBA Draft has led the Pistons to believe they will have the opportunity to address their two primary needs as they upgrade their roster. As a result, the Pistons are not considering trading down or out of the first round of the draft. Langdon said the Pistons have considered moving up in the draft to improve the team’s shooting and floor spacing.
The Pistons were subpar with 3-point shooting this season, finishing 17th in the league at 35.6%. Detroit’s shooting performance stagnated in the postseason (35.9%), contributing to its inability to advance to the Conference Finals. However, Langdon recognizes that they are not the only team looking to improve their 3-point shooting, given the importance of the skill set around the league.
If the Pistons cannot draft one of their preferred shooters, they will shift to selecting a player who can enhance the team’s ball-handling and playmaking abilities. The absence of a secondary player was another key factor that hindered the Pistons’ postseason success.
“We know that we need to be more equipped to compete in the postseason, and that is what we are looking at doing,” Langdon said. “Adding pieces to accentuate our three best players (Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson). We feel like we need to get better.”
The Pistons’ draft strategy will remain consistent as they reshape through free agency and trades. While considering every scenario, Langdon will continue to prioritize the team’s continuity while being mindful of the asking price. He will seek players who can integrate easily into the Pistons’ identity on and off the court, while aiming to bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to the Motor City.
“We have to get better, whether internally or externally,” Langdon said. “All of our guys will get better next season, and we will come back as a better team. Overall, internal growth is the best way to grow by taking a step. But we will continue to look to see if we can add pieces that will help us to continue improving and come back as a better iteration of the Detroit Pistons.”
Coty.Davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Trajan Langdon shares Pistons’ roster-building insight ahead of NBA Draft
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
