Projecting what the Pistons' starting lineup might realistically look like in 2026

Potential Detroit Pistons starting lineup in 2026 

If Langdon continues to go the organic route and the Pistons luck out in the draft lottery, they could add an impact talent from a draft class that is loaded. Here are two starting lineups that represent the best-case scenarios: 

-Cade Cunningham 

-Ron Holland II 

-Ausar Thompson 

-Cooper Flagg 

-Jalen Duren 

Pretty much the dream, as this would mean that one or both of Holland and Thompson made a leap as shooters. This would give the Pistons a big, dynamic starting five that could defend, run the floor and would have two high-impact scorers/playmakers in Cunningham and Flagg. 

The Pistons would likely have to land the #1 pick for this to happen, which are long odds in any situation. 

But what if the Pistons were to end up in the 5-7 range again? 

-Cade Cunningham 

-VJ Edgecombe 

-Ron Holland 

-Ausar Thompson 

-Jalen Duren 

I don’t like this one as much, though I do love Edgecombe as a prospect. This team would still be very young but Langdon won’t shy away from building his own roster, even if that means getting rid of some of the young guys who are currently on it and replacing him with his own draft picks. 

He’s trying to build sustainable winning, though this team would still likely be too young to compete for the playoffs right away. 

What if the Pistons are able to trade for a star?