Pistons at No. 21: Two Guards Who Could Actually Help Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons went from Eastern Conference cellar to the No. 1 seed and an early playoff exit in one season. That’s real progress. But now they need to keep building, and the 2026 NBA Draft offers a chance to add another piece around Cade Cunningham.

Detroit holds the No. 21 pick, and according to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, two names have quietly emerged as targets: Baylor’s Cameron Carr and Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie. The word around the league is the Pistons are looking for a guard who can create his own shot, something beyond just spot-up threes.

Cameron Carr’s wingspan and offensive upside

Carr is a 6-foot-6 guard with a reported 7-foot-1 wingspan. That length helps him disrupt passing lanes on defense, but his real selling point is on offense. He can shoot off the catch, and he can beat defenders off the dribble. Siegel wrote that Carr could slide into a catch-and-shoot role next to Cunningham early on, then develop into a more complete player over time.

“Between having the ability to be a catch-and-shoot option from deep and being able to beat his opponents off the dribble, Carr could definitely fit in a system alongside Cunningham,” Siegel said. He also noted that Carr is not the same level of defender as some other prospects in this draft, but his offensive game should get him bench minutes as a rookie.

Teams picking higher than Detroit have reportedly shown interest too. The Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors are among them. Siegel said he would not be surprised if Carr goes earlier than most people expect.

Ebuka Okorie as a potential sleeper

Okorie from Stanford brings a different profile. He’s a combo guard with size and athleticism, and he has room to grow as a shooter. The appeal here is upside. The Pistons have a core that includes Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson, so adding another young guard who can develop at his own pace could work.

Neither Carr nor Okorie is a household name. That’s kind of the point. In the late first round, you’re looking for guys who fit your system and have traits you can build on. Detroit has been upfront about wanting to put more shot creators around Cunningham, and both of these guys fit that description.

The draft is Tuesday. The Pistons have not tipped their hand publicly, but the buzz around Carr and Okorie is real. Whether either one ends up in Detroit depends on who else is still on the board and whether another team jumps ahead to grab them first.