The Detroit Pistons traded a protected first-round draft pick to draft Isaiah Stewart in 2020, but nobody expected that selection to be dealt for Alperen Sengun and Karl-Anthony Towns before the Timberwolves selected Joan Beringer with the 17th overall pick on Wednesday night. The draft choice was traded four times before winding up in Minnesota.
Nobody knew Sengun would be a star when this pick was traded for him. The Rockets sent two future firsts to get the 16th pick in the 2021 draft. Sengun was the selection, and the 6’11 big man blossomed into an All-Star in his fourth NBA season. He just helped Houston land the second seed in the West, and the future is extremely bright for both parties.
The Pistons finally broke out and snapped a five-year playoff drought. Cade Cunningham is a star with room to grow, but fans should be shocked at how much value their draft capital has.
Pistons’ 1st round draft pick was traded for 2 All-Stars before a player was selected
The pick was the only draft compensation the Timberwolves got from New York in the Towns trade. Minnesota received Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Keita Bates-Diop as part of the package. The deal was financially motivated for the Wolves, but getting Detroit’s pick was the icing on the cake.
The Pistons did not make a selection in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, but their picks still hold plenty of value. The Rockets, Thunder, Knicks, and Timberwolves acquired this selection over the last five years. It was heavily protected, but finally changed hands when Detroit made the playoffs.
Pistons fans got to see Troy Weaver’s first draft with the Pelicans, but things were otherwise quiet. Finding out Beringer was taken with their pick was the other highlight, but most fans did not even realize the journey this selection took to wind up in Minnesota.
The Detroit Pistons should be all-in this offseason. The Eastern Conference is wide open with Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton likely to miss the entire 2025-26 season recovering from injuries. Detroit just made the playoffs and pushed the Knicks in the opening round. They are just a couple of pieces away from a serious shot at taking the conference, and the front office should go get them.
It was a quiet draft, but the offseason is just heating up. Stay tuned to see what the Pistons can pull off, and do not be surprised to see draft picks traded out to bring more talent in.