The 2026 NBA Draft is right around the corner, and the Detroit Pistons have the 21st-overall pick. Unless they make a trade to add more picks, this will be the only selection the Pistons make. Desperate to take a big step forward next season, the Pistons can't afford to make a mistake in the draft.
That is why Stanford's Ebuka Okorie should be in serious consideration.
Pistons must prioritize offensive firepower in the 2026 NBA Draft
The Athletic's Hunter Patterson reported on Wednesday that the Pistons hosted Okorie for a pre-draft workout earlier that day. This not only suggests that Okorie could be a real option for the Pistons at No. 21, but it also makes it clear that the Pistons have identified their most obvious need heading into the draft.
Detroit needs more offensive firepower. Cade Cunningham had to carry an unsustainable offensive burden in the playoffs, and the Pistons were simply not good enough on that end of the floor. Cunningham needs more help in terms of shooting, scoring, ball-handling, and playmaking.
That is exactly what Okorie brings to the table as a prospect. The 19-year-old guard came out of nowhere this season to establish himself as one of the best scorers in the country as a freshman. He was an unheralded prospect coming out of high school, but he quickly emerged as an unstoppable offensive weapon, which led to him shooting up on draft boards.
The Stanford product is more than just a scorer. He can touch the paint and get to the rim at will. He gets to the free-throw line a ton and can finish in traffic. He can generally make good decisions as a driver, including passing. For such a high-usage player (31.0% usage rate), his 3.6 assists to 1.9 turnovers per game was impressive.
Okorie was an efficient scorer as a freshman, putting up 23.2 points on 58.9% True Shooting. He shot a decent percentage on off-the-dribble jumpers. He had to take a ton of difficult threes as the team's primary creator and still made a solid 35.4% mark.
There are certainly concerns about Okorie's physical tools. He is short and has a slight build. He will be taken advantage of defensively. Creating against elite, physical defenders may be a challenge.
But if any team can compensate for his defensive deficiencies, it's the Pistons. Detroit has the size and physicality advantage in almost every position. They can certainly survive with one undersized guard on the floor as long as he can make enough shots and create for others.
Okorie should be available for the Pistons unless a team unexpectedly reaches for him early. He is a low-floor, high-ceiling player who definitely has the chance to be a bust. The league is moving away from offense-first small guards, so this would be a risky gamble for the Pistons. But it's one that they would be wise to make. If Okorie hits, the Pistons would have an ideal backcourt partner for Cade Cunningham for years to come.
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